
Colophon
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 tool on the cover of Linux Desktop Hacks is a wood plane. For carpen-
ters of the past, wood planes, which are used to smooth, shape, and
straighten wood surfaces, were once indispensable tools. The typical
carpenter lugged around an entire chest full of planes, each with a special
function. This is not surprising considering a single piece of wood can
potentially become bowed, twisted, cupped, sprung, and diamonded, all at
the same time. Learning to use a wood plane is said to be a difficult and
often frustrating task. If the proper techniques are not used, the plane will
dig into the wood surface and ruin the board. Seasoned carpenters say that
keeping a sharp blade and planing with the grain are the first steps in
mastering this tool.
Bench planes, such as jointers and jacks, range in length from 9 to 22 inches
or more. These are better than smaller planes for straightening edges,
because their length enables them to bridge dips and rises in the wood’s
surface. Today, power tools, such as routers and power planers, have
replaced bench planes for straightening boards, but hand or “block” planes
are still the perfect tool for trimming swollen ...