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 animal on the cover of HTTP: The Definitive Guide is a thirteen-lined ground squirrel (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus), common to central North America. True to its name, the thirteen-lined ground squirrel has thirteen stripes with rows of light spots that run the length of its back. Its color pattern blends into its surroundings, protecting it from predators. Thirteen-lined ground squirrels are members of the squirrel family, which includes chipmunks, ground squirrels, tree squirrels, prairie dogs, and woodchucks. They are similar in size to the eastern chipmunk but smaller than the common gray squirrel, averaging about 11 inches in length (including a 5-6 inch tail).
Thirteen-lined ground squirrels go into hibernation in October and emerge in late March or early April. Each female usually produces one litter of 7-10 young each May. The young leave the burrows at four to five weeks of age and are fully grown at six weeks. Ground squirrels prefer open areas with short grass and well-drained sandy or loamy soils for burrows, and they avoid wooded areas--mowed lawns, golf courses, and parks are common habitats.
Ground squirrels can cause problems when they create burrows, dig up newly planted seeds, and damage vegetable gardens. However, they are important prey to several predators, including badgers, coyotes, hawks, weasels, and various snakes, and they benefit humans directly by feeding on many harmful weeds, weed seeds, and insects. Rachel Wheeler was the production editor and copyeditor for HTTP: The Definitive Guide. Leanne Soylemez, Sarah Sherman, and Mary Anne Weeks Mayo provided quality control, and DerekDi Matteo and Brian Sawyer provided production assistance. John Bickelhaupt wrote the index.
Ellie Volckhausen designed the cover of this book, based on a series design by Edie Freedman. The cover image is an original illustration created by Lorrie LeJeune. Emma Colby produced the cover layout with QuarkXPress 4.1 using Adobe's ITC Garamond font.
David Futato and Melanie Wang designed the interior layout, based on a seriesdesign by David Futato. Joe Wizda prepared the files for production in FrameMaker 5.5.6. The text font is Linotype Birka; the heading font is Adobe Myriad Condensed; and the code font is LucasFont's TheSans Mono Condensed. The illustrations that appear in the bookwere produced by Robert Romano and Jessamyn Read using Macromedia FreeHand 9 and Adobe Photoshop 6. This colophon was written by Rachel Wheeler.
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