Our look is the result of reader comments, our own experimentation, and feedback from distribution channels. Distinctive covers complement our distinctive approach to technical topics, breathing personality and life into potentially dry subjects. The image featured on the cover of Computer Security Basics is a key. Locks and keys were first developed by the Egyptians for use on doors. The Egyptian wooden door lock was opened using a long wooden implement with thin wooden pegs of varying lengths set in one end. When inserted and lifted, the pegs on this key would raise similar pegs within the lock. When all the pegs were raised past a certain point, the door would open.

Metal locks and keys were developed by the Romans using a design similar to that of the Egyptian door lock. Over time the Romans refined this lock technique and embellished both locks and keys; locks were camouflaged as animals, flowers, or birds, keys were highly decorated and frequently worn as pendants. Portable locks, otherwise known as padlocks, were invented by the early Chinese, Turkish, Indians, and Russians. In the late 16th century this was taken a step further with the invention of keyless locks, otherwise known as combination locks. Further refinement continued through the 20th century as greater precision in metal work allowed for closer parts tolerance and therefore greater security. UNIX and its attendant programs can be unruly beasts. Nutshell Handbooks(R) help you tame them.

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Edie Freedman designed this cover and the entire bestiary that appears on other Nutshell Handbooks. The images ares are adapted from 19th-century engravings from the Dover Pictorial Archive.

The text of this book is set in Times Roman; headings are Helvetica; examples are Courier. Text was prepared using SortQuadUs sqtroff text formatter. Figures are produced with a Macintosh. Printing is done on a Tegra Varityper 5000.