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 <preface id="preface">
   <title>Preface</title>
-  <para>I'm pleased to have this opportunity to welcome you to Debian and the
-Debian Administrator's Handbook.  Many people have chosen Debian: around 10% of the
-web servers on the Internet run Debian.  When you include operating
-systems based on Debian, this number is closer to 20%.  Debian was
-selected as the operating system of choice for the International Space
-Station.  Whether it is cutting edge physics research or a project to
-help grow food while fighting pollution, Debian has been used to power
-the computers that make it possible.
-  </para>
 
-  <para> Why does Debian have appeal across large corporations, researchers,
-activists and hobbyists?  I think that the answer lies in Debian's
-flexibility and community.
-  </para>
+  <para>It is a pleasure to introduce you to the Bookworm edition of the Debian
+  Administrator’s Handbook. Since you are reading this book, you are probably
+  already aware of the many good reasons to choose Debian.  Debian is known as
+  the Universal Operating System, supporting a wide range of use cases across
+  all fields where Linux is applied—likely including your specific needs, which
+  is why you have opted for Debian.</para>
 
-  <para>Debian is flexible.  Yes, it provides an excellent general-purpose
-operating system out of the box.  It also provides the tools to
-customize Debian to whatever environment you find yourself working in.
-Whether it is a cloud and container architecture, a large collection of
-workstations, individual computers, or an appliance, Debian provides the
-flexibility to work well in that environment.  You will find the tools
-and examples you need to meet your needs.
-  </para>
+  <para>Since Debian is free, there are no customer bills to track, making it
+  difficult to precisely measure its usage. However, rough estimates suggest
+  that Debian and its derivatives power nearly 20% of the web servers on the
+  internet. Debian is not only well-established on servers, but is also widely
+  used in various fields of scientific research, even contributing to efforts
+  in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, Debian has also been chosen to
+  power robots that will fly to the moon.</para>
 
-  <para>The Debian community is a meeting place for diverse individuals and
-interests: developers from the largest corporations work alongside
-volunteers, researchers, and users.  Whether it is security experts, web
-developers, systems programmers or architects, we are all represented.
-You can be part of this community.  When you find ways that Debian can
-  be better, we welcome your contribution.</para>
-  <para>We come together to produce a world-class free operating system.  No one
-company controls Debian; no one agenda defines our work.  Instead, each
-of us has the power to improve Debian in the ways that matter to us.
-Thank you for taking a look at what we've built.  I hope you like it.
-  </para>
+  <para>While I can not speak for other users, my main motivation for choosing
+  and sticking with Debian is the ability to influence its development,
+  something that can be challenging with company-driven distributions. Debian
+  mostly operates as a “do-ocracy“ principle, where those who do the work have
+  a say in what gets done. I encourage newcomers to get involved and make sure
+  that Debian meets their specific needs … within the boundaries of our shared
+  policies, of course.</para>
 
-  <para>This book is an excellent way to explore Debian.  I've been recommending it to friends for years when they wanted to learn more about Debian, and I am pleased to have the opportunity to recommend it more widely.  This handbook is written and maintained by long-standing members of the Debian community.  Some of the same people who are working to develop the operating system have joined together to help you understand it.  And of course the book is developed using a community process similar to Debian itself with the same emphasis on freedom.
-  </para>
+  <para>Within the Debian community, there is ample support available for any
+  challenges you might encounter. If this book leaves you with any unanswered
+  questions, I highly recommend consulting the relevant mailing lists, forums,
+  or IRC and Matrix channels, depending on your preference. In my experience,
+  you can receive very competent help incredibly quickly, often resolving your
+  issues almost immediately. In turn, it is highly appreciated if you join
+  these channels and share your own knowledge, possibly gained from this book,
+  to help others as well.</para>
 
-  <para>August 2019</para>
+  <para>This book has become a classic resource for learning about Debian
+  administration. Having read one of its early editions, I can attest to the
+  wealth of experience and knowledge that it encapsulates. Authored by
+  long-standing members of the Debian community, many directly involved in its
+  development, this handbook embodies the collaborative spirit that defines
+  Debian. Like the operating system itself, this book is the product of a
+  collective effort, emphasizing freedom and openness.</para>
 
-  <para> Sam Hartman (Debian Project Leader)</para>
+  <para>August 2024</para>
+
+  <para>Andreas Tille (Debian Project Leader)</para>
 
 </preface>
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