Acknowledgments

Keeping ahead of Apple is no small feat; you publish a book about their products, and the next thing you know, they've released new versions of everything and you have to start all over. But that's what we love them for.

Fortunately, as an author, I've had one big advantage on my side: the capable Sams editorial staff who know how to finish off these projects like clockwork. A big thank-you to Alice Martina Smith for keeping me in good humor through the whole thing, and to John Traekenschuh for keeping me encouraged as well as alerting me to potential technical issues; to Tammy Graham and the folks in the art department for making the iPod screenshots work; to Matt Purcell for orchestrating the author review process; and to Betsy Brown for believing I could pull this thing off in the first place. I'd like to thank them and all the rest of the Sams team! I'd also like to give special recognition to Ben, Tim, Albert, and Caley at the Oakridge Apple Store for being so helpful in getting me the gadgets I needed for that in-store photo shoot.

I would also like to thank those who have continued to support and inspire me: James Lileks for bolstering my ego with his very presence; Steven Den Beste for toughening me up; Mike Hendrix for keeping that torch lit and that flag flying; and Paul, Mike, Damien, Kevin, Aziz, and J for always keeping me on my toes. Lance, Kris, Chris, David, John, Van, Trent, Marcus, Paul, and all the rest: Thanks again for your patience while I've been buried in deadlines!