TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Use of indexers and indexing From:"Dana L. Cadman" <cadman -at- GDLS -dot- COM> Date:Mon, 26 Jun 1995 08:12:39 -0400
Linda,
I do my own indexing, and sort of do it seat-of-pants method. As I write
the user's guide I keep my eye open for repeated actions, critical actions,
or steps that prevent or recover an action from an error. As each chapter is
completed I go through it and slap on an index tag. I usually end up with
three to six tags per page ofr a user's guide.
I also make sure to use noun- and verb-oriented entries. For instance,
one item might generate an entry for Inserting circles and Circles, inserting.
Well, this is my own home-brew for indexing, how do the rest of you tackle
this job?
Dana
--
========================================================================
Those who are willing to sacrifice freedom in the name of security will
have neither. - Benjaman Franklin
