iptables hacking

From: Sridhar Natarajan (sreedharcit_at_yahoo.com)
Date: 01/31/05 

Date: 31 Jan 2005 07:23:22 -0800

i am planning to set up a packet filter in linux using iptables.
* will hacking iptables really provide an efficient packet filter? if
yes in what sense?
* plz guide me with the right resource for hacking iptables.