Date: Tue, 19 Oct 1993 14:10:36 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "Barbara E. Cohen" Subject: Sorting Symbols ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Thanks to all who responded about this query. ASCII sort seems to be the most widely used, if the responses are representative. I'll have to check whether the client 's software adheres to ASCII sort or not. Thanks again. Barbara E. Cohen becohen@well.sf.ca.us ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 19 Oct 1993 14:57:37 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Charlotte Skuster Subject: Network_connections I am posting this message for someone who is not yet a subscriber to index-l. Please post your answers to the list and I will collect and forward them to Lynn. This looks like a good topic for the FAQ. Charlotte Which telecommunications network or online service do you use to access INDEX-L? If you live in the U. S. and are unaffiliated with an institution or organization, I would like to hear your comments and experiences about the network/service you use. I am expecting delivery of my first computer (with modem) any day now, and am eager to join INDEX-L but am unsure about which service to use. Your comments and explanations--remember, I'm a novice!-- would be very much appreciated, by myself, and probably others as well. The list moderator will share the responses with me. Thank you very much for your assistance. Lynn Horowitz, ASI member Albany, NY ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 20 Oct 1993 13:21:31 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Carolyn Weaver Subject: Re: Network_connections In-Reply-To: <9310192027.AA10405@carson.u.washington.edu> ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- If I were not eligible for an academic account as a full-time University employee, I would be using my Compuserv account for e-mail access. Carolyn Weaver Seattle ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 20 Oct 1993 13:22:28 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "Neva J. Smith (DataSmiths Information Services)" Subject: Re: Network_connections In-Reply-To: <9310192026.AA01399@wixer>; from "Charlotte Skuster" at Oct 19, 93 2:57 pm ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- After years of access via an educational institution, I had to locate a private provider of network access. My requirements were 1) Cheap (just getting started in business with no capital to speak of), 2) Basic Internet connectivity, which I define as having available: ftp archie gopher (that is a locally running gopher client) veronica telnet rlogin email facility with flexible "word processor" and filing options and UNIX operating system 3) No long distance telecommunications charges- which means that the vendor probably needed to be in my local calling area. I found Real/Time Communications in Austin, TX and I'm glad I did. Their system hosts (administrators) are friendly and reliable when I need help. Most (all, except one) are volunteers who have used the system for a while. It is reassuring that they don't each know everything- I see them post questions about the system from time to time. ==> Now for the practical advice: locate and call your local UNIX users' group. The computing center at a local university will be likely to know if they exist. Then ask the UNIX users' group people if they know of a locally run access point to the Internet. They _will_ know. Best of luck & Happy Surfing, Neva J. Smith DataSmiths Information Services, & njsmith@wixer.bga.com Editor, _Library_Currents_ ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 20 Oct 1993 13:23:37 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: STEVEJZOO@delphi.com Subject: Re: Network_connections ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- For Lynn Horowitz: I currently use Delphi to receive INDEX-L and li other listserv mail. I formerly used a n guest account on a cooperatie ve local college. I like Delphi better because it affords full Internet access, not just access to mail, as did my former acccount. My de Delphi account costs me about $240/year for 20 hours /month access. A less expes nsive way to access listserv mail, even if you don't have access to a cooperative college, is to get an MCI mail account for $35/year. The MCI doesn't charge to read mail, only to send it (at fifty cents the first 500 bytes, then fifty cents the second 500, then declining to ten cents to 10K per K to first 10K, five cents thereafter). Steve Johnson stevejzoo@delphi.com ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 20 Oct 1993 13:25:18 ECT Reply-To: hairylarry@aol.com Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: hairylarry@aol.com Subject: Re: Network_connections ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- I use America Online. The user interface to their other services is wonderful, and they have announced similar user interface capabilities for Internet resources as coming attractions. Their rates are low, no extra charge for email (Internet or any type) and lots of good people hang out there. They discourage subscribing to many lists due to volume of messages, but low-volume ones like INDEX-L are no problem. Larry Harrison ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 20 Oct 1993 13:30:28 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Ritch Pope <73062.3104@CompuServe.COM> Subject: Re: Network connections ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- >Which telecommunications network or online service do you use to access INDEX-L? >Lynn Horowitz, ASI member Albany, NY Lynn, I sometimes think I'm in the minority when it comes to fringe benefits from work. I am an ASI member and full time indexer, and I don't have the luxury of free online time at the office. I am however, a satisfied member of Compuserve. I may be wrong, but at present I think it is the largest file server in the business. For about $9.00 each month I can send and receive 60 E-mail messages before they start costing me 15 cents each. Not a lot to pay for all the good I get from Index-L, and the other services they provide. The two most important considerations for me in choosing a file server were, one, the end of the month costs after I get all the information I need, and two, could the file server in fact provide the information I need. For me, most of my needs are met with Compuserve's basic rate. Occasionally I go into a magazine file and call up an article, or get a quick question answered on one of the gillion forums. I avoid the CB simulators like the plague. All they do for me is eat money and hone my skills at verbal sparing. I don't waste my time using my computer as a social outlet. You may for a price. I personally rate Compuserve a 9 on services rendered. My ten year old daughter often uses it for school reports and conversing with other kids, There is a little something for everyone. I rate it a 7 for cost. There are cheaper file servers that give you less, but if less will cover your needs, then great. I have a couple friends who are computer junkies and they spend several hundred dollars each month just playing around on Compuserve. Lastly, I like the ease of Compuserve. I live out in the hills of Oregon. Compuserve is a large enough that I have a local access number in my area. Many of the other online services are long distance calls here. A big consideration on the bottom line. Also, reaching Index-L is a simple address to Internet. Good luck Lynn. These are only my opinions and not an endorsement for Compuserve, though I am happy with their service. I hope others will respond to your request. Who knows, I may end up changing my online service when the final vote is tallied. Ritch Pope 73062.3104@CompuServe.com ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 20 Oct 1993 13:34:54 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: JULIUS ARIAIL Subject: Summary of Index-l in Keywords ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- My column in the most recent _Keywords_ issue has an error (my fault). The summary of Index-l in this column is for the months July-August, not August-September. Julius solibja@gsvms2.cc.gasou.edu ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1993 11:14:07 ECT Reply-To: mrowland@aol.com Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: mrowland@aol.com Subject: Re: Network_connections ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- For Lynn Horowitz-- I currently subscribe to INDEX-L through both the WELL and America Online, two very different commerical services that provide connections to the Internet. Because I live in Massachusetts, and the WELL is located in San Francisco, it is expensive for me to rely on the WELL (as much as I like it), and I will be quitting the WELL at the end of this month. Depending on where you live and what type of local connections you have, you may be able to connect to the WELL less expensively. The WELL has the advantage of offering its own Indexing Conference, and I would encourage any indexer to sign on to the WELL at least temporarily to see the wealth of information offered in that forum. The WELL costs $15/month and $2/hour for online time, plus telephone charges. America Online is a graphically oriented commerical service offering a wide range of news and information, games, software downloads, bulletin boards, etc. It has an email connection to the Internet, which will allow you to subscribe to small mailing lists (such as INDEX-L), but not large ones, which may overburden your electronic mailbox. America Online has a file length limit, and may split long INDEX-L messages (such as the draft NISO standards, or detailed meeting agendas) in two or more segments. America Online also has an active indexing discussion area, though it is not as large or as structured as the WELL's. American Online costs $9.95 per month for 5 hours of online time. After that time, you pay $3.50 per hour. In addition to subscribing to INDEX-L through both services, I have also satisfactorily sent and received index files via both services (as long email, attached files, or by otherwise uploading and downloading files). Both have free email. For me at least, America Online is easier to use, and it is cheaper for me than the WELL. There are many other options, of course: CompuServe, Delphi, and local services. Your decision may depend on whether the service you are considering has a local access number for your area. (I would have tried CompuServe by now, but for the fact that I do not have a local access number for it.) I suggest that anyone contemplating a commerical service check out a few of them before deciding. They are all very different, and some may have features (not related to indexing) that appeal to you. Marilyn Rowland freelance indexer/writer/editor Duxbury, Massachusetts Mrowland@aol.com ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1993 11:14:41 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: sooz678@austin.relay.ucm.org Subject: Network_connections In-Reply-To: Your message of Wed, 20 Oct 1993 13:35:10 CDT, <9310201829.AA10162@cs.utexas.edu> ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Neat! I know of Real/Time. They have service charges, though, and the system I call (A Unix system) doesn't. It's true that the only internet good this thing does me is e-mail, but that's all I use it for anyway. :) Thanks for the mail! ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1993 11:15:22 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: David Lewis Subject: software for accessing/building thesauri/controlled vocabularies ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Hi -- I'd be interested in pointers to commercial software for managing and accessing thesauri or controlled vocabularies. The scenario I have in mind is that there would be a few thousand controlled terms with 10's of thousands of USE-FOR and NARROWER-THAN links to other terms. The idea is to support people entering any of a large number of alternative phrasings and get back the desired (broader or synonymous) controlled term, or a list of possible controlled terms if the presented word or phrase is ambiguous: Entered Controlled Vocabulary Suggestions ******* ************************************* Macintosh Personal Computers personal computers Personal Computers perxonal computer Personal Computers home computer Personal Computers computers Personal Computers, Mainframes, Workstations a U.S. computer Personal Computers, Mainframes, Workstations PC Personal Computers, Academia:Politics The examples above include dealing with spelling correction, stemming, stop words, and partial matching, as well as providing access to a large thesaurus that someone has constructed. I don't know which of these capabilities are supported in off-the-shelf software. Please reply directly to me (lewis@research.att.com) and I will post a summary to the list. Thanks, Dave David D. Lewis AT&T Bell Laboratories email: lewis@research.att.com 600 Mountain Ave.; Room 2C-408 ph. 908-582-3976 Murray Hill, NJ 07974; USA dept. fax. 908-582-7550 ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1993 11:17:32 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Jessica Milstead <76440.2356@CompuServe.COM> Subject: Network_connections ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- I'm an ASI member too, and I use Compuserve for access. It's easy and cheap if you use software that automates your sessions. I use TAPCIS. If you're on the West Coast, you might check out The Well; ASI is on this service. Jessica Milstead 76440.2356 ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1993 15:34:09 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Michael Mcpherson Subject: indexing software [Moderator's note: I sent Michael the FAQ and mentioned Linda Fetter's guide...Feel free to comment futher.] Hello everyone. I just subscribed to this listing in the hope that someone out there will be able to help me. Allow me a moment to explain my dilemma. My name is Michael McPherson. I am a Masters of Arts student in technical and professional communication at East Carolina University. I am currently working on my thesis which consists of a review of the current literature on the theory of indexing followed by a review of three different kinds of indexing software. Problem is, our library is limited in the indexing literature department, and I have little idea of the various types of indexing software available (groan). HELP! If anyone has any idea of how they can help me, I would greatly appreciate it. I already know of Cindrex and Macrex, obtaining copies of the software may be d ifficult though. I am looking for current literature (books, articles, etc) but only as far back as 1988. I am also looking for current literature on computer-aided indexing. If anyone knows of any software that is cheaper than $200, let me know who to contact. Your help and information are greatly appreciated. Thanks Sincerely, Michael McPherson enmcpher@ecuvm1 439 Green Mill Run Apratments Greenville, NC 27858 (919) 758-4830 (leave message) =========================================================================