To Bill LeBlond, senior editor at Chronicle Books, who gave me the opportunity to write a book of this scope and was optimistic that I could complete it in nine months.
To Deborah Kops, for her expert and thorough copyediting and many helpful suggestions and revisions. Thank you.
To Jim Herbold, good friend, computer adviser, and also tester.
And special thanks to friends and family members who contributed to this book and for their willingness to come to impromptu dinner parties to test and critique.