  We describe the design, construction and operation of a versatile
dual-species Zeeman slower for both Cs and Yb, which is easily adaptable for
use with other alkali metals and alkaline earths. With the aid of analytic
models and numerical simulation of decelerator action, we highlight several
real-world problems affecting the performance of a slower and discuss effective
solutions. To capture Yb into a magneto-optical trap (MOT), we use the broad
$^1S_0$ to $^1P_1$ transition at 399 nm for the slower and the narrow $^1S_0$
to $^3P_1$ intercombination line at 556 nm for the MOT. The Cs MOT and slower
both use the D2 line ($6^2S_{1/2}$ to $6^2P_{3/2}$) at 852 nm. We demonstrate
that within a few seconds the Zeeman slower loads more than $10^9$ Yb atoms and
$10^8$ Cs atoms into their respective MOTs. These are ideal starting numbers
for further experiments on ultracold mixtures and molecules.
