Jon ‘maddog’ Hal
Paul G. Sery
Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc.
Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
Copyright 2004 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published simultaneously in Canada
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2003112921
ISBN: 0-7645-4232-X
Manufactured in the United States of America
About the Authors
Jon ‘maddog’ Hall is the executive director of Linux International, a vendor organization dedicated to promoting the use of the Linux operating system. He has been in the computer industry for more than a quarter of a century (somehow, that sounds more impressive than just “25 years”), the past 18 years of which have been spent using, programming, and admiring the Unix operating system. Jon works for Compaq Computer Corporation, where he is helping to shape Compaq’s strategy with respect to Linux. Previously, Jon was the department head of computer science at Hartford State Technical College, where his students lovingly (he hopes) gave him the nickname ‘maddog’ as he tried to teach them operating system design, compiler theory, and how to live an honorable life
While working for Digital Equipment Corporation in May of 1994, ‘maddog’ met Linus Torvalds, and was intelligent enough (his critics say ‘maddog’ was just lucky) to recognize the potential of the Linux operating system. Linux changed his life, mostly by providing him with 22-hour workdays. Since ‘maddog’ has started working with Linux, however, he has also started meeting more girls (in particular, his two godchildren). You can usually find Jon speaking at various Linux conferences and events (‘maddog’ just barks), and he has also been known to travel long distances to speak to local Linux user groups.
Paul G. Sery is a computer systems engineer employed by Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is a member of the Computer Support Unit, Special Projects, which specializes in managing and troubleshooting UNIX and Linux systems.
When he is not beating his head against systems administration problems, Paul and his wife, Lidia, enjoy riding their tandem bicycle through the Rio Grande valley. They also enjoy traveling throughout Mexico. Paul is the author of Linux Network Toolkit and the co-author of several other books. He has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of New Mexico.
Dedication
Jon ‘maddog’ Hall: To Mom & Pop (TM), whose aversion to things electronic is well known, and who can still call their son Jon rather than maddog.
Paul G. Sery: To my wife, Lidia Maura Vazquez de Sery.
Author’s Acknowledgments
I want to thank my wife, Lidia, for her patience, support, and good advice, all of which have made writing this book possible. Without her, I would still be the pocket-protector-wearing, busted-eye-glass-fixed-with-tape-looking, “Star Trek”-watching, wrinkled-shirt-suffering, spaghetti-in-the-pot-over-the-sink eating, Saturday-night-hacking sorry sorta guy. Well, I never was into “Star Trek,” and I am pecking at this keyboard on Saturday night, but my beautiful wife sure has made me a better man.
I would also like to thank Anne Hamilton and Laura Lewin, who gave me the chance to write in general and this book in particular. Both showed great confidence and patience in me. I am very grateful and wish them success in their ventures.
And, of course, I want to thank the staff at Wiley Publishing, who provided considerable and essential help, too. Terri Varveris and Rebecca Whitney provided constant and essential assistance.
I want to acknowledge a total lack of assistance in writing this book from my dog, the infamous Oso Maloso; eater of many things that should have ended his long career early, including but not limited to ant poison, Advil, many pounds of Tootsie Rolls one Halloween, several bags of chicken bones at one party, beer, and other assorted items; escaper of many fences and gates; and friend of the late, great Paunchy (whose name you see throughout this book) and other local dogs.
How useful was Oso? Well, one night while working on this book I got a phone call. Leaving my apple pie behind next to the keyboard, I went downstairs to take the call and passed him on his way up. I should have known something was up because he had a cell phone with him and no one answered when I picked up to take the call. I went up the stairs while he went down. The apple pie was gone. Oso 1, human 0. — Paul G. Sery
Publisher’s Acknowledgments
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