Acknowledgements

Loretta Yates kept me on track as I wrote (and wrote and wrote...) this book. She was there when I needed something. When I got too busy, she asked if I would take on more work. (Pearson Education needs to give her a raise because there aren’t many who would have done that!) I know, however, Loretta asked for more because she trusts me and I am so very appreciative of that trust. I don’t ever want to let her down and I hope we have many projects together in the future.

Todd Brakke, this book’s Development Editor, did a superb job. Although this is the first time we’ve worked together, Todd is one of the first DEs I’ve worked with who seems to know a Beta version of Windows as well or better than I do. His insight during this book’s review process was invaluable. Todd, you saved me on several issues when I needed extra help with a buggy beta and I thank you greatly.

Dan Knott, the Project Editor, wore multiple hats during this book’s creation. More important, though, was the fact that Dan was always there when I needed him. During the middle of this book, my Sams Teach Yourself Office 2007 All-in-One title fell into his lap and he worked extra hard on that while staying on top of this and the other projects he was responsible for. It’s obvious to me that Dan is a conscientious worker and he made this book far better than it could have been without him.

Copy Editor Mike Henry had the eagle eyes to correct my flawed writing. Mike, the book reads so much better after leaving your hands than before. Thanks so much. In addition, Diana Huggins spotted errors that I missed. If an error still resides between these covers I’d be surprised, but if so it’s my fault alone. The overriding accuracy you’ll find throughout this work, however, is due to Diana.

Kimberly Stowe of PortalPlayer Preface^™ (at www.PortalPlayer.com) came to my rescue by providing information and a digital photo of Vista’s cool, new Sideshow feature you’ll learn about in Chapter 4. Sideshow will change the way we all use our laptops and portable devices and it’s a feature I wanted you to learn about. The trouble is, no laptop maker had released a Sideshow-ready computer when this book went to press. Kimberly was extremely kind and was willing to help with whatever I needed. For your Sideshow-based laptop you should first check out PortalPlayer to see what features are available.

Finally, I want to express massive thanks to readers who keep coming back to my titles. Teaching you how to do something is nothing but a pleasure for me.

I love hearing from you so feel free to write. Depending on my workload, I always do my best to answer. Travel and deadlines sometimes push email down to a low priority, but when I can respond I do. You can contact me at [email protected] (the BidMentor.com comes from my eBay domain; I teach others how to be successful on eBay). Of course, in today’s world some valid emails get filtered out due to high-octane spam filters that filter improperly; nevertheless, in general, my email system is highly reliable and I should get what you send.

—Greg Perry