Windows Developer Power Tools

Acknowledgments

From the Authors

First we want to thank all of the developers who have put in countless hours of their time to create the incredible tools we’ve written about in this book. This book would not have been possible without their tremendous passion for what they do.

Many thanks to all the hard-working folks at O’Reilly who turned our words into this great book you’re holding. We’d especially like to thank our great editor, Ralph Davis, who polished this book’s rough edges. Thanks for putting up with Jim’s aversion to hyphens and for fixing numerous other issues large and small. Thanks also to John Osborn, who had the initial idea for the book and approached us to write it.

We’d also like to pass on heartfelt thanks to the many contributors who wrote such great content about the tools they created or just love to use. (For more on the contributors, please see the credits.) We were adamant about getting as many tool authors and expert users as possible to write pieces for the book. One of the largest attractions of FOSS is the dedication of people who take their own time to create these great tools. That passion and excitement carried over into the articles the book’s contributors wrote, and we’re lucky to have had these great folks help make this book what it is.

Our technical reviewers also deserve a serious round of applause. We had a large team of reviewers, due to the sheer size of this book. Bill Wagner (Bill Wagner!) helped us greatly with feedback on the initial concept as well as critical feedback for several specific chapters. Scott Hanselman, he of the world-famous Ultimate Developer and Power Users Tool List (http://www.hanselman.com/tools/), also gave us a brutal but much-needed review on several chapters. The feedback from Bill and Scott was critical and prompted some significant reworking of the general approach we took throughout the book.

Our other reviewers included Daren May, Sam Gentile, Jason Follas, Patrick Cauldwell, and Marc Holmes. Each brought his own strengths to the reviewing table: Daren and Jason’s attention to detail was invaluable; and Patrick, Sam, and Marc all gave great Big Picture feedback (plus the detail thing, too). Finally, Mitch Wheat caught several errors from chapters we posted online.

Ben Carey deserves special mention here, because he was involved with the book from the start as our “focus group of one.” He provided invaluable feedback on the book’s scope and focus, was a source of enthusiasm for the material, and wrote a number of kick-butt articles to boot.

From James Avery

At the beginning, I was uncertain whether I was going to sign up to write this book. I knew how much work writing a book was, and I knew how busy I had been lately with consulting and a number of side projects. I remember talking with my Mom one night while trying to decide, and her response was simply: “How could you not?!” I remember laughing and thinking how lucky I was to be in this position and how I couldn’t possibly turn down the chance to write another book.

My Mom and I both have an obsession with books. We both love the crisp pages and smell of a new book. We both get lost in the local bookstore for hours just browsing. While other families went to amusement parks, we sat on the beach and read books. My love of reading books draws me to writing books, and although at the end of each book, I promise myself it will be my last, I know it won’t be. So thanks, Mom, for passing on your love of books to me and for being the person who completely understands when I buy 5 more books even though I have 25 I haven’t read yet at home.

This book would have never gotten close to being completed without the tireless work of my good friend and coauthor Jim Holmes. You picked up my slack a number of times on this book, and for that I am extremely grateful. It has been a blast working together and I look forward to doing it again, either on another book or on some other project.

Thanks to all my friends and family who understood when I had to work on the book weeknights and weekends instead of visiting or hanging out.

Most of all I want to thank my incredible wife, Tammy, for all of your support and understanding. No matter how behind I got on the book (and at work), I always knew everything was going to be okay when I woke up next to you each morning.

From Jim Holmes

First off, thank You God for the many blessings You’ve given me—especially the patient love over the decades it took me to start figuring things out.

Thanks to my parents, who taught me so many lessons that also took decades to sink in. Work hard. Play nice. Clean up your messes. Grab Opportunity when you see it in the street, because it’s not stopping by to knock on your door. Thanks for those and so many more that I never understood until I too became a parent. (I still won’t eat broccoli casserole, though.)

Thanks also to my coauthor and good friend James Avery, whom I’ve known for over two years and have seen face-to-face perhaps six times. Thanks for the immense help you’ve given me, the numerous wide-ranging discussions via IM, and the great time I had writing this book with you.

Life as a stay-at-home Dad with two young kids can be rather hectic. I’m ever-indebted to the folks who helped out when I had meetings, presentations, or just flat-out needed a break: Joanne Wolosz (a.k.a. “Grandma”), Lauren McMullen, and our neighbor Judy Cummins.

I’d especially like to thank my two children, Lydia and Zeke, who’ve turned out remarkably well despite having had me as their stay-at-home parent. Don’t worry kids, Poppa’s book will help pay for your therapy.

Lastly, to my wife Pam: words fail me, Love. You supported me though a nasty spell as this book wound up, including giving up our anniversary together when I was frantically writing instead of spending it with you. Thanks for the unbelievable life together and the wonderful family you’ve given me. I promise I’ll shut this thing off now and come to bed, or at least after I look at this one last tool. No, really.