This book has been one of the hardest projects I've ever worked on. Not because the book itself was hard to write, but because of three major computer crashes (and two replacement motherboards), two serious illnesses, two surgeries, having to change compilers after the third chapter, and having to entirely rewrite the game engine after the fourth. I can honestly say that I could not have got through this book without the support of all those who worked on it. I especially want to thank Kristin Kalning, who is simply the best project editor I've ever worked with. Thanks also to Davina Baum, Liz Welch, Myrna Vladic, Owen Wolfson, Eric Geoffroy, Aren Howell, and Denise Lincoln. I especially want to thank Ron Little. His technical edits were excellent. And without his help on the sample programs for the last five chapters, I'd probably still be working on this book. |