Water-Cooler Locations
One of the most popular places for indexers to hang out is on the Index-L listserv. Here, questions are posted that relate to indexing. Indexers like to share information (that is also the nature of our job...to help others find information!). Some listserv lurkers may post private or offlist replies, meaning they send their answers directly to the individual and not to the list. Therefore, if a question hasn't been answered on the list, in all likelihood it was answered offlist. Develop friendships with the folks who respond to a reply.
In addition, America OnLine and CompuServe offer Indexing bulletin boards. Learn about indexing and meet indexers all at the same time. View questions others have had, and read the replies. It's a great way to get to know indexers who share your ISP.
The American Society of Indexers has instructions for subscribing to the Index-L listserv and accessing the bulletin boards for various ISP's.
Another place to meet indexers is at Chapter and Group meetings of the American Society of Indexers (ASI), and other indexing societies outside the United States of America (USA). Hosted regularly, meetings and workshops provide ample opportunity to find indexing buddies. In the USA, contact the closest ASI chapter or group near you, and plan to attend upcoming indexing events.
Some chapters and groups also host online chats. This is a wonderful way to meet indexers without the travel expense. To take advantage of a chat room, a computer must run Windows at 32-bit, and be Java-enabled.
The Tennessee Regional Group hosts a chat room that is available 24 hours a day. This chat room can be reserved for appointments, or drop-in schmoozing. They also hold online meetings in their chat room once a month. Visitors are always welcome. Contact the Tennessee Regional Group of ASI for more information.
Don't Commit an OOPS!
There are some "oops!" that many would-be new indexers commit when wanting to get to know indexers, whether by posting to listservs, checking out bulletin boards, attending meetings and workshops, or participating in online chats. Every profession has an unwritten code of ethics and conduct. Indexers are no different. Some of the most violated "oops!" are:
OOPS! # 1. No question is a "dumb" question to ask. However, there are "lazy" questions. You would not expect a tax accountant to give you free tax advice just for the asking, to save you time from researching and looking for the answer. So, too, indexers can be very friendly, but you should respect their time. They, like a tax accountant, are a professional. That means you should research BEFORE you ask any questions.
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