Acknowledgments

Many people helped with the writing of this book. I am especially thankful to those at IBM Press, who were patient and encouraging. In particular, I wish to thank Bill Zobrist, Chris Zahn, Mary Kate Murray, and Kathleen Addis. In addition, the IBM Press reviewers who gave many constructive suggestions: Brenda Cammarano, Chris Soskin, Eric Lopes Cardozo, Remco Bruns, plus some anonymous reviewers. Also, I would like to thank R. Max Wideman for permitting my use of his progressive acquisition model and for his review of that chapter. Finally, I would like to thank several people at Praxis Engineering Technologies, who provided the encouragement to write this book: Bill Dunahoo and Al Dunn. Also, thanks to Mary Bordner and Mike Short of Praxis Engineering for their perpetually positive outlook and exceptionally thorough reviews and ideas. Finally, I wish to thank my best friend and wife, Marge Gibbs, for her encouragement and an occasional "kick in the pants." Last, to my son and daughter, Robert and Katie Gibbs, the best kids a parent could ever wish for.