Preface Preface Writing a technical book and getting it published is not a particularly difficult project. The primary requirements are dogged determination and persistence. Writing a technical book that people can use, a book that they keep on their shelf as a reference, a book that becomes the standard in its class, that s quite a bit harder. To do that you not only have to know the subject matter and be able to present it in a reasonably interesting manner, you also have to include the information that people need to know and provide the analysis that experience provides. In addition, the technology must be presented in a way that is digestible by the average person responsible for implementing it. Accuracy, of course, must be ensured. Doing all of these things is not easy. It is, however, what I set out to do. Should You Buy this Book? My ego and my pocketbook say yes. My conscience tells me that the book is not one that every techie will need. Here are some guidelines:...