In a completely just world, Mark Alldritt of Late Night Software would probably have his name on the cover of this book. In fact, he really ought to have written the book himself, since in all probability no one outside of Apple knows more about AppleScript than he does. I have benefited from his knowledge in three ways: he wrote Script Debugger, without which much of AppleScript’s behavior would have remained opaque to me; he provided untiring assistance and advice while I was writing; and he performed a thorough and valuable technical review of the first draft.
Paul Berkowitz also acted as technical reviewer, a task which he performed with brilliance and insight, combining a long and thoughtful experience of AppleScript with diligence and critical perspicacity. He corrected many errors of fact, and gave excellent advice from the perspective of a model reader. Those who find this book useful should know that much of the credit is his. Chuck Sholdt also made several helpful suggestions and provided much-needed encouragement.
All the members of the AppleScript team at Apple who were present at Apple’s 2003 WWDC were extremely generous with their time despite the many other demands upon it. Some of them provided important technical advice that has greatly increased the book’s accuracy.
It remains only to add that the responsibility where I have not taken or understood the advice of my technical reviewers must rest with me.
My editor, Chuck Toporek, did all the right things. He assigned me the book, he monitored the signals emerging from Apple, he enabled me to attend Apple’s 2003 WWDC and put me in touch with the AppleScript team, and he displayed forbearance, confidence, and patience while I was writing, leaving me to wrestle with problems of form and content on my own, never criticizing an early draft that he knew I would eventually rip to shreds myself, while at the same time providing encouragement when needed and advice when requested. Having as copyeditor my old friend Nancy Kotary made this stage of the process a pleasure instead of a trial; she brought to the task her characteristic combination of sound judgement, sharp eyes, and a kind heart, and a number of passages read more clearly thanks to her intervention. Genevieve d’Entremont oversaw the production in a thoroughly professional manner. My thanks to them and to all at O’Reilly & Associates who participated in the making of this book.
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