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 XML Hacks is a socket wrench. A socket wrench (known as a key or spanner in the U.K.) consists of a shank or rod capable of being fitted with sockets of various sizes, usually with six or twelve points, for handling hex fasteners. A socket wrench is used for turning a nut or bolt head, but is distinguishable from a box wrench in that the socket is circular and can reach a fastener within a narrow or deep recess. Reg Aubry was the production editor for XML Hacks. Derek Di Matteo was the copyeditor. Emily Quill and Genevieve d'Entremont were the proofreaders and, along with Matt Hutchinson and Claire Cloutier, provided quality control. Mary Agner and James Quill provided production assistance. John Bickelhaupt wrote the index.

Hanna Dyer designed the cover of this book, based on a series design by Edie Freedman. The cover image is a stock photograph taken from the Photos.com collection. Emma Colby produced the cover layout with Quark-XPress 4.1 using Adobe's Helvetica Neue and ITC Garamond fonts.

David Futato designed the interior layout. This book was converted by Joe Wizda and Julie Hawks to FrameMaker 5.5.6 with a format conversion tool created by Erik Ray, Jason McIntosh, Neil Walls, and Mike Sierra that uses Perl and XML technologies. The text font is Linotype Birka; the heading font is Adobe Helvetica Neue Condensed; and the code font is LucasFont's TheSans Mono Condensed. The illustrations that appear in the book were produced by Robert Romano and Jessamyn Read using Macromedia Free-Hand 9 and Adobe Photoshop 6. This colophon was written by Reg Aubry.