home than in any other place. There we share our knowledge in incredibly illuminating discussions; we joke,
we laugh, and we solve puzzles together. Microsoft Program Managers some−times join our discussions.
Richard Waymire is always there, providing tremendous help, and whenever I see David Campbell's posts my
heart fills with joy <sigh> I wish he posted more (hint, hint ;−).
Two of the MCTs deserve special appreciation. Dejan Sarka, a very talented and knowledgeable trainer,
became one of my dearest friends. We visited each other in our homelands, taught and spoke together, and he
even had the misfortune of accompanying me to the airport in Slovenia where I threw up the fine wine that we
finished together to celebrate our friendship (sorry about that Dejko.) One other very special MCT that I'd like
to thank is Laura A. Robinson, a.k.a. delicate flower and saber−toothed tiger. Laura was one of the first MCTs
to welcome me to the group. She's one of the sharpest, brightest, and funniest people I have ever known.
Whenever I feel the need to read some really cool posts, I go and look her up. Laura, thanks for being you! In
many ways, this book holds the spirit of this group of MCTs.
There are actually so many more MCTs I'd like to thank here, as I feel that they have a part in this book, but if
I did, you would probably stop reading for the lengthy list. To make you realize what I'm talking about I'll tell
you about my visit to Slovenia. Dejan and I formed a list of MCTs we know and care about. We named it the
"Beer List" as we took it with us and journeyed in the countries surrounding Slovenia, having a drink for all
our friends. I tell you, there were a lot of beers involved <hiccup>. In fact, all of the pictures I have from my
visit to Slovenia look quite similar. There's Dejan, there's me, and there are a couple of beers and the beer list.
Tom and I would also like to express a few specific acknowledgments to those who were generous enough to
provide technical contributions to the book, mainly for the user−defined functions chapter. Eitan Farchi,
Ph.D., from the IBM research laboratory in Haifa, Israel, provided mathematical proofs and algorithms. Pavel
Yosifovich, a senior programming instructor at Hi−Tech College, Israel, provided the idea for the
sound/image processing example. Gabriel Ben−Gan, mathematics teacher at Handesaim High School,
Ramat−Aviv, Israel, (and co−creator of Itzik Ben−Gan ;−) provided help with the mathematical aspects of
complex algebra and of other subjects covered in the book. Fernando G. Guerrero, a senior SQL Server
instructor for the QA Group Ltd., U.K., and a SQL Server MVP, provided performance and other tips for the
complex functions. Rick White, a fellow MCT, shared his knowledge on complex numbers. You will also find
contributions from many other talented individuals in Chapter 17, Tips and Tricks.
One other project I'm most grateful for getting involved with is SQL Server Magazine. Whenever I go to teach
at a customer's site, I take the magazine with me. On my breaks, I look for a quiet café or a shaded place
where I can be alone and read it. I first look for Kalen's articles, but I like reading them all. Writing for the
magazine is in many ways similar to writing this book. Whenever I get all excited about a certain new idea
that has been cooking in my mind, I sit down and write about it and send it to the magazine. I have found a
devoted group of people working for the magazine, among them Michele Crockett, Kathy Blomstrom, and
Carol Martin. It is a pleasure working with you!
This book wouldn't have seen light had the group of devoted people at Apress not put in the long hours they
did. I'd like to thank Gary Cornell, Kathi Duggan, Andy Carroll, Grace Wong, and all those who worked on
the book "behind the scenes." To our editorsyour edits have really been a pleasure to receive. And Grace,
thanks for all of the hard work you've put into this book. I'd also like to thank Karen Watterson who started
the whole thing when she suggested that Tom and I write the book. Karen thought that Tom and I would make
a perfect match. I still find it hard to believe how natural our joined work has been. We both read through
each other's work and really helped one another in making our visions come true on paper. From the early
stages of writing, we both agreed that we shouldn't try to unify the spirit of the book. We both believe that you
should get the writings of each of us from as close to the source as possible. We feel it's okay that the book
has two spirits, as long as these are the true two spirits of its authors. The joined writing was a unique
experience. Tom, it has been a pleasure!
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