 Published
articles
This article examines issues about how the DITA (Darwin Information Typing Architecture) standard for content management systems affects “context” in the indexing process and how these issues can be addressed using controlled vocabulary.
Published in KeyWords, April/June, 2008, American
Society for Indexing.
Metadata
from the
world of librarians and database searching is moving
to center stage in our everyday lives. And the metadata
“revolution” is
coming to us through pictures—those cute, happy, funny shots
of kids,
parents, neighbors and workmates that we love to share and post on the
internet.
Published
in the KnowGenesis IJTC, Volume
2, Issue 1, March 2007.
When
users find the answers they are looking for, the investment in
technical documentation gets a chance to pay off. In large volumes of
technical information, just finding the answer can be half the battle.
Microsoft found that users of its intranet were spending an average of
2.5 hours per day online - 50% of that being searching.
This article was written as part of an experimental online workshop
with the MITWA (Mentors, Indexers, Technical Writers &
Associates)
discussion group(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MITWA/). The article
retains the workshop format including learning assignments.
Published
in the KnowGenesis IJTC,
Volume 1, Issue 3,
September 2006.
Provides
a generic specification—with reasons—to open source
developers for creating useful indexing facilities in packages such as
OpenOffice and Scribus. It also informs writers about what to look for
and what to ask for in any indexing tool. Finally, the article
demonstrates the need for software developers to work closely with
practitioners and users.
Published
in the KnowGenesis IJTC,
Vol. 1, Issue 2, June 2006.
Explains
how the web index to the Writer's Block magazine was created.
Published
in Stimulus,
September 2003, Society
for
Technical
Communication,
Eastern Ontario Chapter.
Technical
writers, who are often expected to provide indexes for their
publications, benefit from courses that focus on the principles
underlying good indexes. Structured around practical, interactive
exercises, workshops that create learning situations that engage their
interests are successful in helping technical communicators develop
basic understanding and skills.
Published in The
Indexer, April 2003, the
The Society of Indexers.
Some quick tips to speed indexing or any repetitive activity on the computer.
Published in the Bulletin, Indexing Society of Canada, Autumn 2002.
Provides
an editing checklist: main entries, synonyms, number of
undifferentiated page references, number of subheadings following a
main entry, parallel structure in subheadings, double-posted headings,
cross-references, alphabetization of subheadings, capitalization,
pluralization and spelling, personal and geographic names, page
references are accurate, and mechanics for an online index.
Published in The Technical
Editor, March 1999, Institute of Technical Editors. Updated June, 2007.
Examines
how to organize and search large bodies of online information such as
databases,
help systems and knowledge bases.
Published
in KeyWords,
November/
December, 1998, American
Society for Indexing.
A story
of survival
during the Great Ice Storm that covered Eastern Ontario and the
North-Eastern United States during the winter of 1998.
Posted to
INDEX-L, January 9, 1998.
Explores
the
implications of
indexing in different media and summarizes the discussion in relation
to
technical documentation. CD-ROM,
online help and
the Internet pose formidable challenges for users trying to locate
answers
to their questions. Electronic media bring together an ever-increasing
volume of information that cannot be searched by simply flipping the
pages.
Published
in Stimulus,
September
1995, Society for
Technical
Communication,
Eastern Ontario Chapter.
Allegro
Time!
Allegro Time! is no longer being published.
Topics
covered included print
manuals, online help keywords, single-source publishing, multimedia and
the Internet.
2003
Web Indexing: explains a simple way to make
information on
a web site easier to find.
Finding
Information in Different Ways:
shows how an index can provide multiple routes for locating information.
2002
Gathering
Together:
shows
how an index brings scattered references together.
Embedding
Indexes in FrameMaker:
explains how to enter standard index headings, page ranges as well as
"See"
and "See also" references.
Indexing
Acronyms:
explains
how to handle both acronyms and the full spelled-out terms.
Converting
Indexes with WebWorks Publisher:
provides some tips on how to create single source indexes with WWP and
FrameMaker.
Single
Source Indexes:
outlines the major issues in creating for indexes for documents
published
in a number of different formats.
Indexing
Names:
summarizes
the rules for correctly handling personal and geographic names.
Checking
Cross-references:
explains how to be sure that your "See" and "See also" references give
good directions.
2001
Indexing
with Microsoft Word:
explains how to create an embedded index in Microsoft Word.
Just-in-time
Indexing:
explains
how to deliver a high quality index in sync with the final, camera
ready
book or manual.
Subheadings:
explains how to create effective subheadings.
Indexing in DocBook XML:
explains
how to embed an index in a DocBook XML document.
Indexing
User Tasks:
explains
how to create index headings that assist the user to find task-related
information in modern "task-based" documentation.
Great
Indexes:
provides
criteria for judging an index.
Keywords
Online:
answers
the question, "Are online indexes a list of keywords to search or
something
different?"
Value
of Indexing:
quotes
that demonstrate the usefulness of indexes.
Synonyms:
how including synonyms can improve usability.
Embedded
vs. Stand-alone Indexes:
when to use different types
of indexes.
Preparing
to Index: how to get started
successfully on writing
an index.
Alphabetizing
an Index: how to make it
easier for users to locate
particular index entries.
2000
Formatting
Indexes: tips on how to make
your index more readable.
"See
also" Cross-references: how
to assist the user
navigate
quickly to the right index entry.
Objects,
Tasks and Concepts: how
using building blocks from
the
user's environment will lay the foundation for an effective index.
Indexing
in FrameMaker — Challenges and Opportunities: what
you can achieve from indexing in FrameMaker.
Why
an Index?: what
indexes
can do for you and your end-users.
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