Acknowledgments

Writing a technical book can be a lonely occupation. So I am all the more grateful for the help and encouragement that I have received from so many fabulous friends and colleagues.

First, my considerable thanks go to Jonathan Gennick, the commissioning editor of this book. Throughout the publication process, Jonathan has been both a tower of strength and an exemplary mentor. He has always been available to share his vast experience selflessly and courteously. It is thanks to him that this book has seen the light of day.

Heartfelt thanks go to Jill Balzano, the Apress coordinating editor, for managing this book through the publication process. She succeeded in the impossible task of making a potentially stress-filled trek into a pleasant journey filled with light and humor. Her team also deserves much praise for their calm under pressure. So thanks to Rebecca Rider for her tireless and subtle work editing and polishing the prose, and also to Dhaneesh Kumar for the hours spent formatting—and reformatting—the text.

When lost in the depths of technical questions, it is easy to lose sight of what should be one’s main objectives. Fortunately, the technical reviewer, Rodney Landrum, has worked unstintingly to remind me of where the focus should be. He has placed his considerable experience at my disposal and has enriched the subject matter enormously with his suggestions and comments.

However, my deepest gratitude must be reserved for the two people who have given the most to this book. They are my wife and son. Timothy has put up with a mentally absent father for months, while providing continual encouragement to persevere. Karine has given me not only the support and encouragement to continue, but also the love without which nothing would be worth it. I am a very lucky man to have both of them.