read) drafts. Later Jason was kind enough to sign on as the official technical editor,
remarking at one point (with a straight face), “Oh, was that the same book?” I guess it
got better over time. Rahul Rai (Microsoft) offered detailed technical feedback and sug
gestions, with insights relating to every area in the book. Nuno Godinho (Cloud Solution
Architect – World Wide, Aditi) commented on early drafts and helped point out chal
lenges with some confusing concepts. Michael Collier (Windows Azure National
Architect, Neudesic) offered detailed comments and many suggestions in all chapters.
Michael and Nuno are fellow Windows Azure MVPs. John Ahearn (a sublime entity)
made every chapter in the book clearer and more pleasant to read, tirelessly reviewing
chapters and providing detailed edits. John did not proofread the prior sentence, but if
he did, I’m sure he would improve it. Richard Duggan is one of the smartest people I
know, and also one of the funniest. I always looked forward to his comments since they
were guaranteed to make the book better while making me laugh in the process. Mark
Eisenberg (Fino Consulting) offered thought-provoking feedback that helped me see
the topic more clearly and be more to the point. Jen Heney provided helpful comments
and edits on the earliest chapters. Michael Stiefel (Reliable Software) provided pointed
and insightful feedback that really challenged me to write a better book. Both Mark and
Michael forced me to rethink my approach in multiple places. Edmond O'Connor (SS&C
Technologies Inc.) offered many improvements where needed and confirmation where
things were on the right track. Nazik Huq and George Babey have been helping me run
the Boston Azure User Group for the past couple of years, and now their book comments
have also helped me to write a better book. Also from the Boston Azure community is
Nathan Pickett (KGS Buildings); Nate read the whole book, provided feedback on every
chapter, and was one of the few who actually answered the annoying questions I posed
in the text to reviewers. John Zablocki reviewed one of the chapters, as a last-minute
request from me; John’s feedback was both speedy and helpful. Don McNamara and
William Gross (both from Geek Dinner) provided useful feedback, some good pushback,
and even encouragement. Liam McNamara (a truly top-notch software professional,
and my personal guide to the pubs of Dublin) read the whole manuscript late in the
process and identified many (of my) errors and offered improved examples and clearer
language. Will Wilder and Daniel Wilder proofread chapters and helped make sure the
book made sense. Kevin Wilder and T.J. Wilder helped with data crunching to add
context to the busy signal and network latency topics, proofreading, and assisted with
writing the Page of Photos sample application. Many, many thanks to all of you for all
of your valuable help, support, insights, and encouragement.
Special thanks to the team at O’Reilly, especially those I worked directly with: editor
Rachel Roumeliotis (from inception to the end), production editor Holly Bauer, and
copy editor Gillian McGarvey. Thanks also to the other staffers behind the scenes. And
a special shout-out to Julie Lerman (who happens to live near the Long Trail in Vermont)
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