The Definitive Reference Shelf for Indexers--Part 1

Top 3. Aug 1, 2000 5:33 PM

» indxr_wantobe - Thank you!

Perhaps this isn't the right place to do this, but, I just wanted to express my gratitude for the feedback. And in defence of technology say, I think this particular medium for acquiring knowledge is great! Several years ago I tired to find anyone that I could ask questions about indexing, but I had no luck at all. Thank you! David E.

-- posted by indxr_wantobe

Top 4. Aug 1, 2000 8:05 PM

» Juju57 - Dictionaries...

Hi, I have dictionary software (CD-ROM) but it isn't Merrium Webster. I was told by a friend who is an author that the American Heritage Dictionary is THE dictionary for writers! One day I was in Wal Mart and there was a CD-ROM version of the Am. Her. for $9.95! The same dictionary I paid $65.00 for in hard back! But both have their purpose.

The CD-ROM is great. I checked many definitions in the book against the ones on the CD, and they are identical. What is better about the CD is, it also pronounces the word! (the CD has to be in the drive for that, tho.)It has parts of speech, proper usage, idioms, synonyms, homographs, etc. Also contains Roget's Thesaurus with over 1.5 million words! Has a "word of the day" feature that I love. Anyway, that's just SOME of the many wonderful features of this little gem of a CD-ROM! Oh, yeah, I also saw it at Comp USA for the same price. You just can't beat it, I use thing thing MANY, MANY times ever day!

-- posted by Juju57

Top 5. Aug 1, 2000 8:17 PM

» Indexlady - Dictionaries

First, let me everyone for their kinds words regarding this column. I started out with so many questions myself, and the information available at the time was just too general. That's why I started writing this column--to give more specific information to those interested in freelance indexing.

I think more sources have since sprung up, which benefits everyone!

Next, thank you for the dictionary review. It sounds marvelous, especially with the "Word of the Day" feature, and thesaurus built-in. Hearing a word pronounced for real is also a big help. I'm sure this medium will be the perfect fit for many indexers!

Thanks again,

-- posted by Indexlady

Top 6. Aug 2, 2000 4:53 AM

» Juju57 - Hi, Dawn

I'm glad I could help a little! Actually, I've learned a lot from you and other indexers on the indexstudents email list! I had tons of questions at first and I got lots of hel p - I had an indexing job land in my lap before I even had ever thought about indexes - I thought they just "magically" appeared! I told the author, sure, pice of cake, I can do it. Ain't as easy as it seems, but I did it and the book will be published soon! I found that I think I have a knack for it, I enjoyed it because it was like the ultimate word puzzle. Plus I have an almost pathological passion for detail! I have not taken the USDA course yet, but plan to. I'm taking editing and proofreading classes soon. Hope everyone rushes out and buys up that CD-ROM, as it seems to fly off the shelf as soon as it is re-stocked!

I look forward to more of your articles on indexing. I don't currently have another indexing job, but in the mean time I read articles such as yours, read the Chicago Manual of Style for fun, and practice indexing on magazine articles and books.

-- posted by Juju57

Top 7. Aug 2, 2000 5:07 AM

» Juju57 - oops

So much for my "pathological passion" for details - I neglected to proofread my own posting! Ah, well. You see, it's very early here in Virginia and I have too much blood in my caffeine system. Which I am going to remedy right now!

-- posted by Juju57

Top 8. Aug 2, 2000 12:48 PM

» erinhart - Merriam-Webster online

Dawn,

I hate to disagree with you. Yes, I love reading the dictionary, and grew up with a set of encyclopedias that was wonderful. But the online version of Merriam-Webster's is better than you give it credit for!

I used your suggested test, and the only time it did *not* give me algorithm as a suggested spelling was when I used algor. So it doesn't work with truncations, but it does suggest correct spellings if you're in the right ballpark.

Your complaint that the dictionary is useless if the power goes out has some merit. On the other hand, if the power's out, I'm not indexing anyway, unless I'm editing the index on paper.

For speed of access, online versus paper are probably equivalent. Sometimes I use one, sometimes the other. For what it's worth, I do have an unabridged sitting next to the computer, and a couple collegiate dictionaries in the bookcase. I still want to buy the MW 10th, though - even though I access it online.

Yes, a good dictionary is invaluable. But if you're starting out on a shoestring, since there is at least one good one available online, it might be a purchase that can be postponed.

- Erin Hartshorn

-- posted by erinhart

Top 9. Aug 3, 2000 2:21 PM

» indxr_wantobe - On-line Dictionary

Let me start by saying, that I'm writing about a bit of
education I've gained from this discussion. It's been an
enjoyable journey that will take some explaining, so
bare with me please.

I went to MSN's search engine and typed in [dictionary],
and if memory serves, Merriam-Webster's Collegiate
Dictionary was the second on the list of about a dozen
or so to come up. I added it to my Favorites list for
future use.

Apparently the search features in Enternet Explorer 5
(the browser I use) are considerably different than
AOL's.

I have an older computer that a friend gave me. I
repaired it myself (it had a virus), and installed a
newer modem. But it barely has enough memory to run a
browser. I had almost given up on ever getting on-line
with it, until I found this browser software that was
special written for Windows 3.1.

One reason I enjoy my computer so much is; my reading
comprehension skills are nothing to brag about. And I
don't mean to say that I have trouble comprehending the
meaning of words. It's more about the ability to stay
mentally focused when I'm reading something.

I have this program called Text Assist. It's a text
reader that I use to listen to the text as I'm reading
it. It doesn't always pronounce words correctly. And
misinterprets punctuation sometimes. But it has a phonic
dictionary you can edit the phonic spelling of words
with, and other settings to adjust rate and pitch etc.

Through working with all the settings, I have it
sounding amazing like a person reading, (all things
considered.) Most readers would probably consider it to
be nothing more than a cute toy, but it helps me.

And yes, (forgive me, but) I'll just say it bluntly and
succinctly. I'm poor (upper, lower class, as I sometimes
say). Always have been. But it's not due to being lazy.
Not as far as physical labor goes anyway. I can remember
one of my teachers telling me once that I was lazy-
minded. And there was probably some truth in that
statement.

But looking back on it. I think it was more of an
attitude problem, than anything.

But I still dream of changing that sad old reality! And
that's a big reason I enjoy the internet so much. It
gives me access to a world of information.

I had a lot of attitude problems during my high school
years, and took for granted the education I wasn't
getting! I graduated by the skin of my teeth as they
say. If it hadn't been for my love of music, and the
credits for my involvement in the band, I wouldn't have
graduated!

I think I have done more to educate myself in the last
several years than I ever did in high school. Isn't it
amazing how critical the right attitude towards
something, is!

And I guess one of my bad attitudes was showing when I made the comment about being poor. I hope no one thinks it was a response to an offense, or anything like that, just a personal frustration.

I guess you could say it keeps me motivated!

I've been saving these discussions as text [.txt] files
so I can go off-line and reply using a word processor,
then copy & paste it in here when I get the time, and
the phone line, (but that's another long story.)

You've probably surmised by now that I love computers!
And for me, this is one example, why.

I fired up my browser this evening, after reading over
all the discussion entries. I clicked on the favorite
for the on-line dictionary, and typed in TECHNiPHILE. It
said to check the following entries for correct
spelling.

The first in the list was TECHNoPHILE. I clicked on it
and discovered; hay, I'M A TECHNOPHILE!

I hesitated to tell this on myself because I didn't
want to reveal my ignorance, but I later reminded myself
that everyone is ignorant about something, right! And
that pride or shame would be lousy excuses for staying
that way!

You see, at heart I've always been an advocate for good
communication. And I've always realized that a good
vocabulary is essential, especially in it's written
form. But I've never been good at spelling. I can read
a computer manual and figure out how to install hardware
upgrades, (I've repaired several) but where to put which
vowel still throws me!

But I didn't fully understand your statement: (i.e.
"Techniphile? Realize that if technology was able to do
what we expected and needed, there wouldn't be a need
for freelance indexers!").

Because I didn't know the meaning of the word
technophile until today.

I have taken two days now (of spare time) to edit this
article (if that's a proper term for it?). If the length
alone is the determining factor, I suppose it would
qualify. As you may have guessed, I'm not comfortable
enough with my writing skills to even add to this
discussion, without having to deal with a certain amount
of embarrassment.

Not to mention my intimate time with this somewhat out-
dated, and time consuming, spell-checker of mine!

So please forgive any poor usage of punctuation and
grammar.

And being that I am a technology enthusiast, and after
giving it some thought. I don't believe that technology
will ever advance to the place where the tweaking of
human beings won't be necessary. Even if (and this has
always been the ultimate goal of computers) artificial
intelligence is achieved. Any intellect, whether human
or artificial will always have to be instructed.

And, I may be about to really show my ignorance now. But
bare in mind I only have a high school education, and
I've yet to index my first anything, or anything of the
like.

But I've been looking over the indexes in several old
software manuals of mine, and thinking, I COULD DO THIS!

I'm 39 years old now, I started working in home
construction at the age of 14. With two of my older
brothers. The years of heavy lifting have damaged a disk
in my back. That's one big reason I'm looking into
indexing.

I've worked in construction most of my life. But I have
worked at different things. I operated coping machines
and distributed office supplies for a big company in
Ohio, this one summer that I spent with a sister.

I've contracted for six years now, on my own. Mostly
painting and finishing wallboard in my free time, in the
three states I've lived in, Tennessee, Georgia, and
Southeastern Kentucky, (where I'm from) which I'm sad to
say has a reputation for it's poorly educated, and
generally poor population. So I'm told. But I'm glad to
say a lot of great changes have taken place in this area
in the last decade or so.

I've been driving a school bus now for six months. I
really enjoy rubbing shoulders with teachers, and the
like, in the environment of education. Verses the rough-
neck environment of construction, that I've been around
most of my life.

I think there's a lot to be said for the company you
keep, as far as improving your image of yourself. And
helping one to believe that they can improve themselves.
That's why I'm enjoying this discussion so much.

Perhaps (and I don't mean to be offensive) it's a little
difficult for well-educated persons to appreciate the
affect they can have on one who is trying to expiate
himself. That's a word ("expiate") I just learned this
morning from the word of the day email that I signed up
for at the dictionary site. Did I use it well?

I'm sure there must be plenty of similarities between
free-lancing and contracting. For example; developing
the self-confidence to assure your client that you are
up to the job, right?

I'll close by saying, I sincerely hope that I haven't
breached any of this forum's boundaries of etiquette. If
I have, it wasn't intentional. And I hope the comments
that were of a personal nature, wouldn't be considered
inappropriate?

Signed: I think I can! I think I can! (i.e. The little
train that BELIEVED he could!) Of course that remains to
be seen.

-- posted by indxr_wantobe

Top 10. Aug 3, 2000 5:37 PM

» Indexlady - Thank you, Erin for your comments on the MW dictionary online.

Thank you, Erin for your comments on the MW dictionary online. The site I'm looking at is the MW site within AOL (Keyword: Dictionary). There is obviously a BIG difference between that and the actual web site, and thanks for pointing it out. I'm sure a lot of folks reading these articles will also appreciate it.

And to 'the little engine that could', you're not alone. Just keep plugging away at it, and one day you'll be chugging along the indexing tracks with "I thought I could. I thought I could."

-- posted by Indexlady

Top 11. Aug 3, 2000 7:23 PM

» indxr_wantobe - Thank you.

Thanks for the encouragement.
David E. Brown

-- posted by indxr_wantobe