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If a manual is utterly task-based and properly designed for that, an index
is of questionable value. But many manuals have long sections of exposition,
with loads of technical terms and other things that obscure the points the
user may want. Many manuals are written like third-party books, almost all
of which have (and need) indexes. This isn't necessarily "poor" structure.
It's just expository structure.
Tim Altom
Simply Written, Inc.
Featuring FrameMaker and the Clustar(TM) System
"Better communication is a service to mankind."
317.562.9298
Check our Web site for the upcoming Clustar class info http://www.simplywritten.com
>
> An index is only that useful when the content of the
> book itself is so bad that it doesn't make sense.
>
> How is needing a section of the book to find a section
> of the book a good thing.
>
> Don't get me wrong...indexes are important...only
> because books are structured so poorly. If the book
> was arranged well, the index wouldn't be needed.
