========================================================================= Date: Wed, 2 Aug 1995 10:07:07 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Sally Serafim Subject: Thank you for quick response! ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- In less than twenty-four hours I've had fifteen responses from indexers on this list. What a terrific response. I'm going to have to cut off my request at noon today (6:00 Eastern Daylight Time), to attend to selecting one from many experienced professionals. Thank you all so much. Sally Serafim Managing Editor University of Hawai`i Press sserafim@hawaii.edu ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 2 Aug 1995 10:07:22 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: EYKLlibry@aol.com Subject: Getting Started ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- I am a librarian by day, who would like to work as an indexer from my home on evenings and weekends. I took an indexing course in graduate school, but I don't think it was thorough enough, in terms of the software packages available, to make me an expert indexer. Any suggestions on how to get started? ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 2 Aug 1995 10:07:33 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: SDPL Bookmobile <$BK_M@library.sannet.gov> Subject: USDA Course ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Hi! I've just begun to explore indexing and today received info from the USDA on the correspondence course. I've read ALL the Index-L archives but did not see this question answered: How long does the correspondence course take to complete? Roughly. I know there are variables -- I work full time (librarian), no kids, can devote evenings/weekends -- is there a ball park figure?? Thanks for any guidance! Kathy (You can e-mail me at $BK_M@LIBRARY.SANNET.GOV) ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 2 Aug 1995 10:09:14 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: RAPG@aol.com Subject: BevAnne Ross Remembrances ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Entry Points (Golden Gate Chapter/ASI's newsletter) will print a collection of short (approx. one paragraph in length) remembrances of BevAnne Ross in our upcoming issue. If you would like your reminiscence included, please e-mail to me at RAPG@aol.com by August 15. Don't forget to sign your name. Many thanks. --Rebecca Peters ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 3 Aug 1995 13:33:20 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: MaryMort@aol.com Subject: Re: USDA course ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- I tried to send this directly, but the e-mail address didn't work. Hi, Kathy, The major variables in the time it takes to complete the course, I found, are the U.S. mail and the instructor. Each lesson, except the last, takes 1-2 hours only (in my case, at least.) But - you have to wait at several points to receive feedback before continuing. I still did the lessons ahead, and double checked them when I received the previous lessons back. You're really dependent on how quickly the instructor grades and returns them. So you're still waiting for me to give you a specific length of time, right? It took me from June - November last year (including the final.) I understand that was quite fast. My instructor let me send her the lessons directly, rather than sending them to Washington first; I think that saved a couple weeks overall. If you have any other questions, feel free to e-mail me. Good luck! Cheers, Mary -- * Mary Mortensen * marymort@aol.com * * "Wealth, I was discovering, is more accurately measured in what * you enjoy than in what you possess." Jean Aspen, _Arctic Son_ ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 3 Aug 1995 13:33:31 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Mary S Stephenson Subject: archiving WWW pages ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Below is a message posted today on the ARCHIVES-L list. Sounds like an interesting indexing problem. Anybody got any ideas? Since the author is not a member of this list you will need to respond directly to her at the address given at the end of her message. As I teach courses in indexing here at UBC I would also be interested in any ideas/information any of you might have. Susie Stephenson SLAIS/UBC Vancouver mss@unixg.ubc.ca ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Wed, 2 Aug 1995 21:04:59 -0400 From: Jodi L. Bunnell To: Multiple recipients of list ARCHIVES Subject: archiving WWW pages ---------------------- Information from the mail header ----------------------- Sender: Archives & Archivists Poster: "Jodi L. Bunnell" Subject: archiving WWW pages ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'm trying to solve a problem for the Discovery Channel's new online service. On July 1, they began publishing a weekly online magazine. Being a forward-thinking bunch, they now want to develop an archives of that publication. They want detailed indexing of names, subjects, and images so that the material can be used again (for the online service and other uses). Their interest is not so much in retrieving the stories as they have appeared (that is a relatively simple matter), but in informational value. Their format is constantly evolving, so what I work up is not to be written in stone. But I do need to point them in the right direction. And this seems a very exciting problem--and one area of electronic records we'll all be dealing with more and more. Ideas, anyone? Is anyone else confronting similar problems? The address of the service, if it helps anyone to look at it, is http://www.discovery.com Thanks in advance for your suggestions. Jodi L. Bunnell University of Maryland at College Park jbunn@wam.umd.edu ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 3 Aug 1995 13:33:43 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: LostinWI@aol.com Subject: JOURNAL INDEXES ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- I have been lurking on this list for some time now and decided to make my presence known. I am a beginning indexer and am interested in learning about the construction of journal indexes. I own Nancy Mulvany's "Indexing Books" and Hans Wellisch's "Indexing from A to Z", but would appreciate additional "how-to" tips. Thanking you in advance, Jane ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 3 Aug 1995 16:41:45 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: WordenDex@aol.com Subject: Re: USDA Course ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- I received materials in March and learned that I needed to budget one month per lesson at minimum to allow for (1) submission of homework to regional instructor, (2) attention by instructor, (3) recording of graded homework in DC regardless of regional instructor's whereabouts, and (4) return of graded homework from DC. Also, need to budget a month to apply, take, and submit final exam. Depending on the instructor's workload, homework has received a 3 to 6 week turnaround. The indexing practica lessons shouldn't be submitted until you've received the previous graded lesson by return mail. Total time? Probably 10 months. In 4 months, I've submitted 7 lessons and had 6 returned. Having read the profiles in Who's Who in Indxg on AOL, I wonder what the course completion rate is. Some say they've started but haven't finished because they're too busy doing actual indexing work. This says a little about the necessity of the course as well as about the qualifications of people doing indexing. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 4 Aug 1995 11:25:07 -0400 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Marilyn Ostergren Subject: Re: Job Announcement #1 JOB ANNOUNCEMENT Position: Research Associate and Field Director, National Park Service Natural Resource Bibliography Project Description: Field Director for a project to develop park specific computer databases that contain specified bibliographic information on natural resource documents for selected National Park Service areas. The 25 parks, monuments, and historic sites involved in the project are located in Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, Indiana, and Kansas. Responsibilities: Supervise and train up to five employees who will locate the information and compile the databases. Arrange all logistics, lodging, work space, and staff communication necessary for project completion at each park. Train park staff on the use of database software and on use and maintenance of the completed database. Necessary Qualifications: Master of Library Science, Master of Science, or equivalent experience. Knowledge of publication cataloging and indexing Knowledge of use and programming of computer bibliographic software, specifically Pro-Cite and dBASE. Ability to travel virtually continuously to all parks involved in the project, as well as to meet with project directors and NPS personnel throughout the county. Knowledge of National Park Service information management protocols and natural resource inventory and monitoring needs. Ability to supervise employees at dispersed sites and provide detailed training (using both written guidelines and oral communication). Ability to use computer networks to search for information on established national databases. Additional Qualifications: Broad understanding of cataloging scientific literature Experience in working in national parks and NPS regional offices and an understanding of the goals and objectives of the agency. The position will be located in Omaha, Nebraska in conjunction with the National Park Service Mid-West Regional Office and will report to the Unit Leader, Cooperative Park Studies Unit, University of Idaho. Salary Range: $288,000 - $31,000 Depending on Experience To Apply: Submit letter of application, vita, and the names of two references to the following address: Research Associate Search Committee NBS Cooperative Parks Studies Unit Dept. of Wildlife Resources University of Idaho Moscow, Idaho 83844-1136 (208) 885-6434 Search and selection procedures will conclude when a sufficient number of qualified applicants have been identified, but not earlier than August 18, 1995. The University of Idaho is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educational institution. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 4 Aug 1995 11:26:40 -0400 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Marilyn Ostergren Subject: Job Announcement #2 JOB ANNOUNCEMENT Position: Research Associate and Field Director, National Park Service Natural Resource Bibliography Project Description: Field Director for a project to develop park specific computer databases that contain specified bibliographic information on natural resource documents for selected National Park Service areas. The 42 parks, monuments, and historic sites involved in the project are located in Kentucky, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi. Responsibilities: Supervise and train up to six employees who will locate the information and compile the databases. Arrange all logistics, lodging, work space, and staff communication necessary for project completion at each park. Train park staff on the use of database software and on use and maintenance of the completed database. Necessary Qualifications: Master of Library Science, Master of Science, or equivalent experience. Knowledge of publication cataloging and indexing Knowledge of use and programming of computer bibliographic software, specifically Pro-Cite and dBASE. Ability to travel virtually continuously to all parks involved in the project, as well as to meet with project directors and NPS personnel throughout the county. Knowledge of National Park Service information management protocols and natural resource inventory and monitoring needs. Ability to supervise employees at dispersed sites and provide detailed training (using both written guidelines and oral communication). Ability to use computer networks to search for information on established national databases. Additional Qualifications: Broad understanding of cataloging scientific literature Experience in working in national parks and NPS regional offices and an understanding of the goals and objectives of the agency. The position will be located in Atlanta, Georgia in conjunction with the National Park Service South-East Regional Office and will report to the Unit Leader, Cooperative Park Studies Unit, University of Idaho. Salary Range: $28,000 - $31,000 Depending on Experience To Apply: Submit letter of application, vita, and the names of two references to the following address: Research Associate Search Committee NBS Cooperative Parks Studies Unit Dept. of Wildlife Resources University of Idaho Moscow, Idaho 83844-1136 (208) 885-6434 Search and selection procedures will conclude when a sufficient number of qualified applicants have been identified, but not earlier than August 18, 1995. The University of Idaho is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educational institution. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 4 Aug 1995 14:30:52 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Carol Roberts Subject: Re: USDA Course >Hi! I've just begun to explore indexing and today received info from the >USDA on the correspondence course. I've read ALL the Index-L archives >but did not see this question answered: How long does the correspondence >course take to complete? Roughly. I know there are variables -- I work >full time (librarian), no kids, can devote evenings/weekends -- is there >a ball park figure?? Thanks for any guidance! Kathy > >(You can e-mail me at $BK_M@LIBRARY.SANNET.GOV) I'm responding here, because the question is of general interest. It took me over a year to complete the course. This was far slower than I wanted to go, and I found it difficult to keep the momentum going. How long it takes will be determined not only by how much time *you* have for it but also by the turnaround time of your teacher. Cheers, Carol Roberts, indexer and copy editor | Life is good. Carol.Roberts@mixcom.com | Milwaukee, WI | ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 5 Aug 1995 05:41:17 +1000 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Jonathan Jermey Subject: Re: Getting Started >----------------------------Original message---------------------------- > > >I am a librarian by day, who would like to work as an indexer from my home on >evenings and weekends. I took an indexing course in graduate school, but I >don't think it was thorough enough, in terms of the software packages >available, to make me an expert indexer. Any suggestions on how to get >started? > There are a number of excellent books around which you can buy or borrow to help with the basics. Some of these are specific to the indexing package: others are more general. But there is no substitute for practice. You can get practice by a) re-indexing books that have already been indexed, and comparing your results with those in the book; b) offering to index for free publications by clubs, family members and local interest group; c) if you know any indexers in the area they may be willing to take you on as an 'apprentice' to help with ongoing tasks like data entry or journal indexing, When you have a reasonable portfolio and are confident in your abilities then put together a resume and start to approach publishers. Start small with local publishers and plan to work your way up to larger publishers and larger books. Develop a professional attitude to things like quoting and deadlines. Eventually, if you have the ability, word will get around and the work will start to arrive. Best of luck! Jonathan Jonathan Jermey & Glenda Browne Blaxland NSW Australia 061-47-398-199 jonathan@magna.com.au "From the motherboard on the sister ship to the brotherhood in the fatherland." ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 4 Aug 1995 18:50:07 -0400 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Lawrenc846@AOL.COM Subject: Alphabetizing the Breve I'm working on an index which has two entries that use an unusual character, a diacritical mark which I think is called a breve. This is a v shaped mark over the initial "s." My question is where does one place these entries alphabetically? Tentatively I am assuming that the sound that goes with these symbols is "sh" and an treating them as if they are "sh" for placement purposes. The words are, incidentally, proper names in Hungarian. Any suggestion or comments on their proper placement would be most welcome. Larry Feldman Lawrenc846@aol.com ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 4 Aug 1995 19:55:13 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Carol Roberts Subject: Re: JOURNAL INDEXES >I have been lurking on this list for some time now and decided to make my >presence known. I am a beginning indexer and am interested in learning about >the construction of journal indexes. I own Nancy Mulvany's "Indexing Books" >and Hans Wellisch's "Indexing from A to Z", but would appreciate additional >"how-to" tips. >Thanking you in advance, > >Jane Hi Jane! Small world. I found the info in the chap. 6 of Linda Fetters's book _Handbook of Indexing Techniques_ *very* helpful. I'm looking into periodical indexing, too, I might add. I also plan to go study some. For example, I know that my local library has on hand the printed index to National Geographic--and probably others I don't know about yet. Fetters's book is available from ASI, and I'll bring along my copy for you to look at when we get together on the 12th. Cheers, Carol ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 4 Aug 1995 21:20:44 -0400 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Nancy Etheridge Subject: Re: Alphabetizing the Breve In-Reply-To: <199508042255.SAA22423@freenet2.scri.fsu.edu> ern/mail/postponed-mail/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Chicago 14 (section 17.103) recommends alphabetizing the accented letter "along with the unaccented letter in a sequence." Whatever _that_ means. Nancy Mulvany, in _Indexing Books_, states that diacrticals are generally ignored when alphabetizing. (p.121) Hope this helps! Nancy Etheridge ethern@freenet.tlh.fl.us ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 5 Aug 1995 15:54:42 -0700 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Linda Sloan Subject: Brochures I am designing a brochure for my indexing business and would like to see what other indexers have done to promote themselves. Would it be appropriate to ask if any other indexers would be willing to share their promotional material with me? I realize that some may be targeting different audiences but that's not what is important to me. Just the look, feel, and any graphics that are used are the elements that I'm currently looking at. If anyone has any advice I'd appreciate it. My address is included below for those who wish to send me any materials. Your help is appreciated. Linda Kenny Sloan 17701 S. Avalon Blvd. #407 Carson, CA 90746 indexer@ix.netcom.com ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 5 Aug 1995 19:43:34 EDT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "esvax::mrgate::a1::postmaster"@ESVAX.DNET.DUPONT.COM Subject: Automatic reply to mail addressed to MINKIEL From: NAME: Mail Postmaster FUNC: TEL: To: "INDEX-L%BINGVMB.BITNET@PSUVM.PSU.EDU"@ESDS01@MRGATE Luray Minkiewicz will be out of the office during the week of July 31 to August 4. If you need prompt assistance with any matters, please contact Catherine Lisa (992-2709) or Kathy Carey (992-3556). Thank you, Luray ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 6 Aug 1995 17:46:34 +1000 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Jonathan Jermey Subject: Re: JOURNAL INDEXES >----------------------------Original message---------------------------- >I have been lurking on this list for some time now and decided to make my >presence known. I am a beginning indexer and am interested in learning about >the construction of journal indexes. > If you are interested in indexing journals for a periodicals database, there is another book which you might find handy. It is by Cleveland and Cleveland. I don't remember what it is called, but it has Indexing in the title.(you could find its title in the reviews section of The Indexer; its own index did not receive good reviews). It contains a journal article which you can index (you're supposed to use a certain thesaurus), and then compare with the answer they give. They also have some abstracting exercises. Cheers, Glenda Browne. Jonathan Jermey & Glenda Browne Blaxland NSW Australia 061-47-398-199 jonathan@magna.com.au "From the motherboard on the sister ship to the brotherhood in the fatherland." ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 6 Aug 1995 06:00:41 -0700 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Richard Evans Subject: Re: JOURNAL INDEXES You wrote: > >>----------------------------Original message---------------------------- >>I have been lurking on this list for some time now and decided to make my >>presence known. I am a beginning indexer and am interested in learning about >>the construction of journal indexes. >> > >If you are interested in indexing journals for a periodicals database, there >is another book which you might find handy. It is by Cleveland and >Cleveland. I don't remember what it is called, I think you mean: Introduction to Indexing and Abstracting Cleveland & Cleveland ISBN 0-87287-677-2 Dick Evans ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 6 Aug 1995 10:33:36 CDT Reply-To: becohen@prairienet.org Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "Barbara E. Cohen" Subject: Re: Alphabetizing the Breve In an index with few slavic names, alphabetize letters with diacritical marks with the rest of the letters, so s with a breve would go into the S section. This assumes that most readers are not going to be sensitive to the differences in the letter with or without the accent. In a book in which the readers will be aware of special sort rules, I would follow the sort rules for that language, of course. The rule I would follow would be "What will thre readers of this book know" (oops, that's "the" not "thre") ? Barbara -- Barbara E. Cohen Indexing & Editorial Services ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 6 Aug 1995 14:12:46 -0400 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Lawrenc846@AOL.COM Subject: Re Alphabetizing the Breve I want to thank those who have responded to my query. Thinking over the suggestions I will go with Barbara's, follow the format that those who will use the book will expect. The pedant in me can't resist adding one other minor comment. Again in response to Barbara's comment, Hungarian isn't a Slavic language but of an entirely different origin. Again, my thanks to all who provided comments, Larry Feldman Lawrenc846@aol.com ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 7 Aug 1995 08:30:34 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Carol Roberts Subject: Re: Alphabetizing the Breve >I'm working on an index which has two entries that use an unusual character, >a diacritical mark which I think is called a breve. This is a v shaped mark >over the initial "s." My question is where does one place these entries >alphabetically? > > Tentatively I am assuming that the sound that goes with these symbols is >"sh" and an treating them as if they are "sh" for placement purposes. The >words are, incidentally, proper names in Hungarian. Any suggestion or >comments on their proper placement would be most welcome. > In her book _Indexing Books_, Nancy Mulvany says diacritics are usually ignored in sorting. Hans Wellisch says the same thing, in his book _Indexing from A to Z_. Cheers, Carol Roberts, indexer and copy editor | Life is good. Carol.Roberts@mixcom.com | Milwaukee, WI | ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 7 Aug 1995 07:38:48 -0700 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: johno@SPRY.COM Subject: Re: Alphabetizing the Breve In-Reply-To: <199508071349.GAA23744@homer.spry.com> In all German language dictionaries, the diacritic umlaut is sorted as the normal character. Thus you may see mus_, m|s_, and mus_, in that order. John O. >In her book _Indexing Books_, Nancy Mulvany says diacritics are usually >ignored in sorting. Hans Wellisch says the same thing, in his book >_Indexing from A to Z_. > >Cheers, > >Carol Roberts, indexer and copy editor | Life is good. >Carol.Roberts@mixcom.com | >Milwaukee, WI | > ********************************************************************** * John Overbaugh (206) 442-8486 * * Technical Documentation johno@spry.com * * CompuServe Internet Division www.spry.com * * * * What is documentation? Help, printed materials, Read Me's, HTML, * * online tutorials, design and layout, product management, GUI * * design, advertising design, technical editing, quality assurance, * * technical support, and even indexing. * * * * It's not a job, it's an artform! * * * ********************************************************************** ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 7 Aug 1995 12:03:35 -0400 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Patricia Buchanan Subject: Databases and HTML I am in the running for a contract involving a 36-year cumulative index for a professional journal. They would like it on a database but would like to be able to have this database index accessible from a web page in a year or so. This is pretty new to me so would anyone have a suggestion for a database that would be compatible with creating a web page - obviously we do not want to re-enter the information. The institute also would prefer not to buy database software just to run this index; is there a database that can run "by itself?" I know dBASE III+ and have worked on a couple of other databases. I know very little about HTML etc and the intricacies of setting up web pages. Many thanks in advance. Patricia Buchanan pbfl@hookup.net ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 7 Aug 1995 10:50:37 -0700 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Richard Evans Subject: Re: Databases and HTML You wrote: > >I am in the running for a contract involving a 36-year cumulative index for >a professional journal. They would like it on a database but would like to be >able to have this database index accessible from a web page in a year or so. >This is pretty new to me so would anyone have a suggestion for a database that >would be compatible with creating a web page - obviously we do not want to >re-enter the information. I'm in a similar situation -- bidding on an index for a collection of historical documents, the client wants it on a database -- and I'm leaning towards Folio Views. I don't know about converting it to a Web page, but it can load my Cindex file into a searchable database. I don't know much of the mechanics -- if I get the contract I plan to subcontract the Folio Views work -- but I can send you the name of someone who provides that service. Dick Evans ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 8 Aug 1995 09:49:52 +1000 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Peter Meyer Subject: Re: Databases and HTML On 7 August 1995, Patricia Buchanan wrote: >I am in the running for a contract involving a 36-year cumulative index for >a professional journal. They would like it on a database but would like to be >able to have this database index accessible from a web page in a year or so. >This is pretty new to me so would anyone have a suggestion for a database that >would be compatible with creating a web page - obviously we do not want to >re-enter the information. The institute also would prefer not to buy database >software just to run this index; is there a database that can run "by itself?" > >I know dBASE III+ and have worked on a couple of other databases. I know very >little about HTML etc and the intricacies of setting up web pages. I have not done exactly what Patricia describes but am in the middle of a similar exercise involving legislation. If the journal is to be accessible in electronic form, the publisher will have to decide on a format for preparation and storage of the electronic data. HTML is but one possible output format. I would immagine that the publisher would wish to maintain as much flexibility as possible with the way in which the data is stored so that they can produce HTML, Acrobat PDF, Folio, Lotus Notes, flavour of 97 or whatever, depending on market demands at the time. In a year or so, HTML will be a much more highly evolved animal than what we see today. I would strongly advise against long term storage of data in html format. It will date rapidly. The aim should be to prepare the source data in a form which enables it to be automatically converted into a suitable output format when needed. This can be done at publication time (CD pressing) or "on the fly", as the customer requests it from, say, a WWW server. There are a number of sites on the web now doing this. The data may be stored in SGML or some other format and converted by a conversion programme on the fly to html as the user requests data. The user is unaware of what occurs behind the scenes. I believe this is the way of the future. It is true that some applications now convert from html to other formats. Lotus Notes 4 will do this, I believe. However, html is such a loose standard, you will never be able to guarantee the output from a conversion which starts with html. The point is that your index should be prepared in this same form as the journal text so it can be stored and automatically converted along with the main publication. One of the issues of conversion will be to correlate your index with the text in the document. In electronic publications, page numbers are irrelevant so you will need to develop a scheme for creating unique IDs for each occurence of an index reference in your source material. Once these links are stored, it is relatively straight forward for conversion software to build HTML with all hypertext links from your index. We are doing exaclty that with our data. To do so, we store everything in SGML. From there we can output to any other format which supports hypertext linking. That is exaclty what SGML is designed to do, avoid obsolescence of your data. The issues I have raised are really the responsibility of your publisher. However, if you would like some information on SGML, there is a Web page which should get you started. Its URL is: http://www.sil.org/sgml/sgml.html Good luck! Peter Meyer ______________________________________________________________________________ Peter W Meyer pmeyer@magna.com.au Desktop Law Pty Limited Ph: +61 2 9922 3096 PO Box 244, Lindfield, NSW 2070 Fax:+61 2 9929 8396 Australia Mobile: 018 245 128