PPA Book Acknowledgements

I consider the acknowledgements section the absolute most important part of my book. As a matter of fact, it was something I was constantly working on from the books inception to its finish. That being the case, I thought it very appropriate that I post a copy of those acknowledgements here. I attribute very little of my success to myself, because it is the people around me who give me the ability to do what I do.

Acknowledgments

First and foremost, I would like to thank God for giving me the strength and fortitude it took to complete this project. When my to-do list piled up higher and higher and there was no end in sight, he was the one who helped me through all of the stressful times.

I want to thank Bill, Tyler, Christina, and the rest of the team at No Starch Press for giving me the opportunity to write this book and allowing me the creative freedom to do it my way. I would also like to thank Gerald Combs for having the drive and motivation to maintain the Wireshark program, as well as performing the technical edit of this book. A special thanks goes out to Laura Chappell, as well, for providing some of the best packet analysis training materials you will find, including several of the packet captures used here.

Personally speaking, I would like to thank Tina Nance, Eddy Wright, and Paul Fletcher for helping me along the path that has led me to this high point in my career. You guys have been great spiritual and professional mentors as well as great friends. Along with that, I have several amazing friends who managed to put up with me while I was writing this book, which is an accomplishment in itself. With that being the case, I would like to extend a very special thank you to Barry, Beth, Mandy, Chad, Jeff, Sarah, and Brandon. I couldn’t have done it without you guys behind me.

Mostly, however, I want to thank my loving parents, Kenneth and Judy Sanders. Dad, even though you have never laid hands on a computer, your constant support and nurturing is the reason all of this was possible. Nothing makes me more driven than to hear you say that you are proud of me. Mom, you have been gone from us for five years as of the writing of this book, and although you couldn’t be around to see this achievement, you are always in my heart, and that is my true driving force. The passion you showed for living life is what has inspired me to be so passionate in what I do. This book is every bit as much your accomplishment as it is mine.