To my father, who in the 1980s told me to learn as much about computers as I could and to buy and hold Microsoft stock. Unfortunately, I took only part of his good advice. Seriously, his purchase of an IBM PC X T computer in 1983 has made all the difference in my life and in my I T career. Unfortunately, Dad passed away on March 6 , 2011, at the tender age of 73. I still think about him every time I use a computer. Thanks, Dad, and may you rest in peace!