From: SMTP%"LISTSERV@BINGVMB.cc.binghamton.edu" 11-MAY-1996 19:47:31.26 To: CIRJA02 CC: Subj: File: "INDEX-L LOG9604A" Date: Sat, 11 May 1996 19:47:34 +0000 From: BITNET list server at BINGVMB (1.8a) Subject: File: "INDEX-L LOG9604A" To: CIRJA02@GSVMS1.CC.GASOU.EDU ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 1 Apr 1996 09:36:38 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: MrsIndex@aol.com Subject: Re: Indexes for British and American readers ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- There's a good book called 'British English from A to Zed'---I think the author's last name is Knorr. It is aimed at Americans wanting to understand British English, but it works well going the other way as there is a good deal of cross-referencing and indexing. It's also a fun book just to -read-, if you're the kind of person who likes to read reference books. Allison Brooks ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 1 Apr 1996 09:37:42 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: IRCINDEX@aol.com Subject: Re: Indexes for British and American readers ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- As a native British English speaker I still have problems after living in the US for 14 years. A fender is something that goes in front of my fireplace and I still refer to the "boot" of my car. Fortunately my children are quite bi-lingual and indulge my fossilized use of the language. I recall a book (from the same series as "Let's Speak Strine' - a British-Australian dictionary) that translates American to Britsish terms. In lighter vein you might introduce your British colleagues to Chapter 12 of Bill Bryson's "Mother Tongue: English and How it Got That Way" he covers most of the word and phrase differences as well as alerting the reader to terms that should be avoided in every day speech depending on which side of the Atlantic you happen to be. I still forget to use eraser for ------, a constant source of embarassment to my off-spring! Frances S. Lennie IRCINDEX@aol.com ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 1 Apr 1996 09:38:36 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: BethJT@aol.com Subject: Re: Indexes for British and American readers ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Beth Hamilton said (on Mar 29, 1996) >There's a thread currently in another list I subscribe to (techwr-l) >about how frustrated British readers get when they try to use the index >in a US-published book because of the differences in terminology. The >poster was looking for a reference book that gives US/British equivalents >for technical terms. Some examples given are wrench/spanner, >trunk/boot, etc. >Does anyone on this list know of such a reference? If so, I'll post it >to techwr-l. Thanks. There is a great dictionary called _British English A to Zed_ by Norman Schur (published by Facts on File, 1987) available here in the states. It gives American equivalents for Britishisms (& vice versa) of all sorts. It also has appendices that list equivalents in various technical areas including automotive terminology. It should satisfy the needs of just about anyone. Beth Tudor Tudor Indexing bethjt@aol.com ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 1 Apr 1996 09:39:00 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: DP1301@aol.com Subject: Re: Automatic Indexing ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- I hunted down the Macworld Craig mentioned. It has a review of Indexicon 1.0 that's now available on a Macintosh platform. This "indexing" software was negatively reviewed last year (or earlier) by Nancy Mulvany and Jessica Milstead in KeyWords. The last line of this particular review had this delightful conclusion: "Instead of buying Indexicon, I'd recommend spending $40 on The Chicago Manual of Style and reading the section on indexing." Since it comes from outside our profession this isn't news to us, but it's nice to see reviews like this in a popular computer magazine like Macworld. Deborah Patton Freelance Indexer Baltimore, MD dp1301@aol.com 410/243-4688 ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 1 Apr 1996 13:55:28 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Patricia Buchanan Subject: Courier fees ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- A query about courier fees and who should pay? The indexer who is happy to get the work or the publisher? I am a relatively new indexer (almost two years) and am still very pleased to get new clients and do not want to turn them off by saying, "By the way, the courier fees are your responsibility." (I would be less blunt in reality.) However, I will be moving to the west coast in the fall and the fees to my clients back here in Ottawa and Toronto will be at least $25 each way. What is current practice - do the publishers/authors expect to pay or do they expect the indexer to pay? Any thoughts would be welcome. Thanks. Patricia Buchanan (not Republican or even American!) ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 1 Apr 1996 16:09:11 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: JPerlman@aol.com Subject: Re: Courier fees ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Patricia, In my years of indexing, I have not used couriers at all. I do use Federal Express, UPS, Airborne Express, etc to deliver my work. I usually pay for that, but I do usually ask a new client if they pay FedEx fees. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. But the fees aren't often as high as the $25 figure you mention. It costs somewhere around $10 to send a disk and about 20-25 pages for overnight delivery via FedEx. If you go international, such as US to Canada, it will probably be a bit more. Nonetheless, I think you will find this a cheaper delivery method than a courier, and I would suggest that you investigate. Janet Perlman Southwest Indexing (jperlman@aolcom) ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 1 Apr 1996 16:09:23 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: JPerlman@aol.com Subject: Re: Courier fees ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Patricia, As soon as I sent off my last reply to you, I realized I had forgotten to suggest that you explore electronic delivery of your work product. Many clients are equipped to receive your files sent via an online service, thus saving you any delivery cost except the online time. And it saves days when you're talking about tight deadlines, too. It's important to ask your clients about this option, as they will not suggest it themselves, in my experience. Janet Perlman Southwest Indexing ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 2 Apr 1996 09:17:59 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Nan Badgett <76400.3351@compuserve.com> Subject: Re: Courier fees ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- All of my out-of-town clients either give me their FedX account number, or reimburse me for shipping -- and I've never had to ask that they do it. For local clients, I provide free pick-up and delivery. It makes sense to me that large publishers pay the shipping. They have greater resources than an independent freelancer, and I think most of them realize this. Nan Badgett Word-a-bil-i-ty ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 2 Apr 1996 09:18:39 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: DStaub11@aol.com Subject: Re: Courier fees ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- In a message dated 96-04-01 15:35:29 EST, pbfl@hookup.net (Patricia Buchanan) writes: >A query about courier fees and who should pay? The indexer who is happy to >get the work or the publisher? It's usual practice for the publisher to pay. I tell them: I use next-day Federal Express shipping and add the fee to your bill. They expect this and have never had a problem with it. Half the time they're charging it to the author anyway! Do Mi, who just faxed an entire index to Japan :-0 ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 2 Apr 1996 09:18:47 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Wildefire@aol.com Subject: Re: Indexes for British and American readers ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- In a message dated 96-03-29 16:12:49 EST, ELHAM@WGPO.DBSOFTWARE.COM (Hamilton, Beth) writes: > >Does anyone on this list know of such a reference? If so, I'll post it >to techwr-l. Thanks. Well, when I worked for NATO, a Canadian told me that their role was to translate between the British and the Americans. ;-D I wish I had him the day that I asked a Brit how I could clean something off a whiteboard and he told me to go to the cleaners and get some spirits. I was totally baffled until someone explained that the cleaners were the janitors (not the dry cleaners) and spirits = alcohol. ;-D Lynn Moncrief TECHindex & Docs Technical and Scientific Indexing ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 3 Apr 1996 09:47:21 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Charlotte Skuster Subject: Western New York State ASI meeting (fwd) On Saturday, May 4th, the Western New York State chapter of ASI will hold it's spring meeting. Frances Lennie will talk about "Beyond Basic Indexing," which will include issues involved in advanced editing - spin-offs, cumulations, etc. We will meet on the campus of the Finger Lakes Community College, which is about 25 miles east of Rochester, NY. We have reserved room B245, on the second floor, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM. We'll plan to gather at 10:30, so we can get a cup of coffee and Frances can get started right at 10:45. After Fran's talk, we'll have a brief business meeting. Then we plan to go to a local restaurant to have lunch together. Maps and directions are being sent out to WNY ASI chapter members. If you would like more information or directions, please contact Peg Mauer at pmauer@aol.com or (518) 359-8616. We look forward to seeing you there! ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 3 Apr 1996 09:48:33 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Carolyn Weaver Subject: Re: Courier fees In-Reply-To: <9604020436.AA21985@mx4.u.washington.edu> ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- For the first couple of years that I freelanced I hesitated to ask for delivery costs. Then I added up my annual FEDEX bill and realized that it was one of my major business expenses, coming right behind equipment and software and the monthly phone bill. Now I simply ask the client if they want to give me a FEDEX number or have me add it to the bill. (Most say "bill me".) Most of my FEDEX packages are under one pound (counting disk and double-spaced printout), so I simply add a flat charge for a 1-pound FEDEX package to the invoice (with adjustments if the package is substantially lighter or heavier, or going out of the country). Occasionally the actual bill is more (in which case I eat the cost), but for the most part I'm right on target. Clients have never complained, and the drain on the budget has stopped. Carolyn Weaver Bellevue, Wa. e-mail: cweaver@u.washington.edu voice: 206/930-4348 On Mon, 1 Apr 1996, Patricia Buchanan wrote: > ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- > A query about courier fees and who should pay? The indexer who is happy to > get the work or the publisher? I am a relatively new indexer (almost two > years) and am still very pleased to get new clients and do not want to > turn them off by saying, "By the way, the courier fees are your > responsibility." (I would be less blunt in reality.) > > However, I will be moving to the west coast in the fall and the fees to > my clients back here in Ottawa and Toronto will be at least $25 each way. > What is > current practice - do the publishers/authors expect to pay or do they expect > the indexer to pay? > > Any thoughts would be welcome. Thanks. > > Patricia Buchanan (not Republican or even American!) > ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 3 Apr 1996 09:48:43 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: MTOWERY@aol.com Subject: Courier fees ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- I work mostly for scholarly presses and always pay the bill for mailing copies of an index to both the author and the press. I feel this is a service that I provide as a professional indexer. It is just part of the overhead of doing business--and it's tax deductible anyway. Only one client has offered to reimburse. I have an account with Fed Ex and my own printed labels, so it is relatively painless. The only problem is making it to the drop box before that last pickup! Margie Towery Towery Indexing and Editing Service ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 3 Apr 1996 09:48:59 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: MaryMort@aol.com Subject: Re: Courier fees ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- In a message dated 96-04-02 09:20:17 EST, Do Mi wrote: >It's usual practice for the publisher to pay. I wish someone would tell some of my clients! Actually, the first clients I got, through referral, pay by the hour, and the indexer who gave me the referral told me to just add time to my total hours to cover the shipping. Does anyone else do this? In other cases, I absorb the shipping costs because the projects are large and/or numerous enough. I must admit though that when I did my income taxes for 1995, postage was one of my biggest expenses. (The amount included some shipping costs that had been reimbursed because the clients included the reimbursement in the 1099.) I'll make sure to ask new clients about paying for shipping, however. As Janet mentioned, more clients are interested in receiving the index files electronically, which saves us both time and money. Mary -- * Mary Mortensen * marymort@aol.com * new address and phone: * 2100 Heatherwood Dr. #G4 * 913-841-3631 * Lawrence, KS 66047 ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 3 Apr 1996 09:49:12 ECT Reply-To: becohen@prairienet.org Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "Barbara E. Cohen" Subject: Re: Courier fees ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Re: postage fees: I consider this part of the indexer's overhead. Figure it into your hourly price and do not separately itemize. I think it looks cheap to charge an extra $25.00 on a $2,000 job! (Just my opinion.) Barbara -- Barbara E. Cohen Indexing & Editorial Services Champaign, IL ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 4 Apr 1996 12:03:53 ECT Reply-To: becohen@prairienet.org Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "Barbara E. Cohen" Subject: Upcoming conference in Chicago ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- There is a conference coming up in Chicago with free admission to the exhibits area, in case anyone is interested in attending: PubTech '96 May 9-10 Chicago Sheraton hosted by the Chicago Book Clinic You can call (312) 553-2200 for more information. -- Barbara E. Cohen Indexing & Editorial Services Champaign, IL ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 4 Apr 1996 12:04:04 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Mary Chatson Subject: Indexing Trainers & Training Courses ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Hi I'm interested in setting up an indexing training session for my documentation group. Could someone point me in the right direction? I remember Lori Lathrop's name coming up in a thread on the WinHelp list. Thanks! Mary Chatson Manager, Technical Writing Symantec Corp., Delrina Group mchatson@delrina.com ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 4 Apr 1996 12:04:16 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Jonathan Jermey Subject: Re: Two nations separated by a common language... ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- At 09:37 1/04/96 ECT, Frances Lennie wrote: >----------------------------Original message---------------------------- >I recall a book (from the same series as "Let's Speak Strine' - a >British-Australian dictionary) that translates American to Britsish terms. The book is 'Fraffly Well Spoken' (i.e. 'Frightfully...') and the author is Afferbeck Lauder. Jonathan. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jonathan Jermey & Glenda Browne, Blaxland NSW Australia E-mail - jonathan@magna.com.au Web - http://www.magna.com.au/~jonathan -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If everybody on the Internet sent you one piece of junk mail, it would take three-and-a-half years for you to clear your mailbox. Report any unsolicited mail to the sender's postmaster. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thoughts on censorship: How come sticking the sharp bits of objects in people is OK for kids to see, but sticking the blunt bits of people in people isn't? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 4 Apr 1996 12:04:26 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Jonathan Jermey Subject: Re: Courier fees ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- At 13:55 1/04/96 ECT, Patricia Buchanan wrote: >----------------------------Original message---------------------------- >A query about courier fees and who should pay? The indexer who is happy to >get the work or the publisher? >What is >current practice - do the publishers/authors expect to pay or do they expect >the indexer to pay? > >Any thoughts would be welcome. Thanks. Our rough rule of thumb is that the sender should pay transmission costs - that is, the publisher pays to send you the work and you pay to send back the completed index - unless you are specifically asked to send back something more, or to send it more quickly, than would otherwise be the case. In other words, if the publisher needs to have the galley proofs back, or if they request that you send something to them by air or courier where it would normally go by surface mail, then you are entitled to bill them for that transmission. Jonathan. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jonathan Jermey & Glenda Browne, Blaxland NSW Australia E-mail - jonathan@magna.com.au Web - http://www.magna.com.au/~jonathan -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If everybody on the Internet sent you one piece of junk mail, it would take three-and-a-half years for you to clear your mailbox. Report any unsolicited mail to the sender's postmaster. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thoughts on censorship: How come sticking the sharp bits of objects in people is OK for kids to see, but sticking the blunt bits of people in people isn't? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 4 Apr 1996 12:04:36 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Nan Badgett <76400.3351@compuserve.com> Subject: Courier fees ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Interesting thread. I was surprised by the number of indexers who pay delivery fees themselves. Think about this: If you buy something mail-order, you (the customer) pay for delivery. If you have a piece of furniture delivered, you pay for delivery. I think it makes since for the customer to pay for delivery of indexes, too, especially since most of them have larger resources than an independent indexer. Most of my clients give me their FED X account number to use, and I provide free pick-up and delivery to local clients (a bargain since I live 20 miles outside of town). I agree with Janet that the best option is electronic delivery, but that is not always possible. Nan Badgett Word-a-bil-i-ty ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Apr 1996 09:40:17 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Craig Brown Subject: Folio Copies ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- By rough estimate, about half of my clients with whom I have not executed a formal agreement have verbally promised me a copy of the finished book. To date, very few of those clients have delivered on the promise, even though the I think the books have long been into production. I'm interested in hearing the experiences of other indexers. Do you typically receive a copy sooner or later? If you don't receive a copy, is it important enough to you to call or write the publisher with a gentle reminder? One reason I am hesitant is that I am not very familiar with the latter part of the production cycle. I don't know what a reasonable time is between my submitting the index and the book's actually going on sale. With thanks in advance. Craig Brown Tha Last Word ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Apr 1996 09:40:27 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Kevin Mulrooney Subject: Re: Courier fees ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- I'm with Nan on being surprised how many indexers pay the shipping costs. I used to add the shipping to the invoice after payying it upfront, until a major client suggested it would be easier for them if I just used their FedEx account number. Now I get a FedEx account number from each new client. All account numbers are on an index card that stays in my wallet. Once with a new client I hadn't broached the issue until the day of shipping the index. This was a few years back when lean times often ran into the months.... I was prepared to (truthfully) tell them that I had 45 cents in my checking account and if they wanted me to pay for the shipping I was expecting a paycheck early the following week; otherwise they could give me their FedEx account #. Fortunately without revealing my financial situation the editor volunteered the number and apologized for not providing it sooner. I now have FedEx or UPS account numbers for all my clients so I never pay shipping. I mark "customer paid" across the FedEx slip but save it anyway as it represents a trip to FedEx which I use in my business milage tally for tax purposes. I have at most $ 25-40/yr in shipping charges for miscellaneous shipping expenses as opposed to > $ 500/yr before. Kevin Mulrooney ------------------------------------------------------------------- Dyslexics of the world untie! First State Indexing (302) 738-2558 276 East Main Street Indexer@inetcom.net Newark, Delaware 19711 ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Apr 1996 09:40:36 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Michele Deyoe Subject: WI ASI May Meeting ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- The Wisconsin Chapter of the ASI will hold its next meeting: Saturday, May 11, 1996 11:00 am to 2:00 pm Sequoya Branch Library 513 S. Midvale Blvd. Madison, WI The discussion topic is: Tips and Techniques for Marking Up (or not ) Pages! Please bring examples to share. Coffee/soda provided, bring a bag lunch. RSVP to Carol.Roberts@mixcom.com or 414-964-5271 Need a map? Contact mdeyoe@post.its.mcw.edu ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Apr 1996 09:40:49 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "Wanda Dickey (LIS)" Subject: Cindex Question In-Reply-To: <199604041728.MAA26891@luna.cas.usf.edu> ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- I am compiling a separate author and title index. Must I input all the data twice or can Cindex sort by the second field and invert the order of author and title so that I can generate the second index without re-inputting the names and titles? Thanks Wanda Dickey Library and Information Science Student University of South Florida ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Apr 1996 09:41:04 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: maryann@mnrosdp.revisor.leg.state.mn.us Subject: An STC meeting with stuff on indexing ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Here's a news flash for all who are interested in indexing, especially the indexing of technical and software documents. (This message is posted by the officers of the Twin Cities Chapter of the American Society of Indexers.) The Society for Technical Communication in the Twin Cities (MN) area will devote its April meeting to the topic _Alternatives in Technical Writing_. The areas being discussed are ISO 9000 writing, online documentation, electronic documentation, and indexing. This is a good chance to see what different areas of technical writing are like and how indexing fits into the process of technical documentation. The meeting is on Tuesday, April 9,(soon!) at the Embassy Suites Hotel on 34th Avenue in Bloomington. Dinner is at 6:00 p.m. with program afterward. The cost of the program alone is $5.00 for non-members of STC, $18.00 for the dinner and the program. To make reservations to attend, call the STC voicemail at (612) 942-1600. ASI members in the Twin Cities area are especially encouraged to attend. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Apr 1996 09:41:13 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Annblum@aol.com Subject: Re: Courier fees ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- In regard to courier fees-- I work for medical publishers almost exclusively and have always been given their Fed-Ex, DHL, UPS, or whatever billing numbers to use. I've always been grateful for this and have come to expect it. When I create indexes for university presses and small publishers, I always include a billing for postage. This lets them know exactly what I am charging them for. Barbara mentioned that she includes it with her hourly rate. This is not possible when you are being paid by the page or by the line. Everyone must figure out what works for themselves--what you feel comfortable with. Had to add my two cents! Keeps my head out of the registration folder for a minute! As of last night, we have 165 people registered for the Denver conference! Pretty darn good! Ann ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Apr 1996 09:41:22 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: MTOWERY@aol.com Subject: Re: Courier fees ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- What indexers offer is less a chair or shirt than a professional service. For example, neither my bank nor my accountant asked me to pay their postage, although that cost is no doubt hidden within their charges. I also don't think it is right to both charge a client extra for postage and then also use that as a deduction--isn't that a bit like double-dipping? Frankly, this business provides few enough tax deductions--why not use those that we can? And, as I noted before, I think it maintains a professional image--and reaffirms my independence as a business person. Margie Towery Towery Indexing and Editing Service ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Apr 1996 16:04:02 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "Barbara J. Stroup" Subject: folio copies ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Craig writes: By rough estimate, about half of my clients with whom I have not executed a formal agreement have verbally promised me a copy of the finished book. To date, very few of those clients have delivered on the promise, even though the I think the books have long been into production. >>>I've had the same experience, Craig. I'm interested in hearing the experiences of other indexers. Do you typically receive a copy sooner or later? >>>One publisher did come through with a copy; it took several months before it arrived. If you don't receive a copy, is it important enough to you to call or write the publisher with a gentle reminder? >>> I called one publisher, only to find that my contact "no longer worked there." That was a little discouraging as I had high hopes to be a permanent fixture on their free-lance list. The author of that particular book lived next door, so I knew exactly when it was published because I attended the release party about 4 months after my index deadline. One reason I am hesitant is that I am not very familiar with the latter part of the production cycle. I don't know what a reasonable time is between my submitting the index and the book's actually going on sale. "(Rubber)Ducks bought at stores for private bathtub use are not addressed in the regulations and presumably are exempt." Boston Globe 3/20/96 ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Apr 1996 16:11:15 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Kevin Mulrooney Subject: Re: Courier fees Margie Towery wrote: >I also don't think it is right to both charge a client extra for postage and >then also use that as a deduction--isn't that a bit like double-dipping? > >Frankly, this business provides few enough tax deductions--why not use those >that we can? And, as I noted before, I think it maintains a professional >image--and reaffirms my independence as a business person. > The situation described in the first paragraph is not double-dipping but a "push-me/pull-you". If you invoice the client for the postage, it will contribute to your total earnings on your schedule C. Then when you take the deduction for the postage expenses, the two amounts will exactly cancel for no net impact. Thus if you accept the argument that the client pays the shipping eventually, the issue becomes simply one of who fronts the money. A big corporation with thousands of employees or a self-employed professional on a tight budget? I'd like to turn the second paragraph around slightly to say that I feel that not having to pay postage is one of the **few** points of respect we indexers get! As I see it, the beauty of the indexing business is just as Margie pointed out: the lack of expenses (read deductions). A deduction is only a way of getting back *some* money that's already gone down the old river; it has no desirability on its own. The ideal business, like say INDEXING!!, has only income and little if any operating expenses and thus few if any real deductions. As for "nonreal" deductions as I call them, the home office and associated deductions are quite lucrative and make up some of the sting of Social Security. Kevin Mulrooney ------------------------------------------------------------------- Dyslexics of the world untie! First State Indexing (302) 738-2558 276 East Main Street Indexer@inetcom.net Newark, Delaware 19711 ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Apr 1996 16:12:31 ECT Reply-To: becohen@prairienet.org Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "Barbara E. Cohen" Subject: Re: Folio Copies ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Craig: I routinely ask for a copy, but only receive one if the editor remembers to add my name to the list. So, it can be rather hit or miss. Some publishers state categorically that they never send free copies, but most will send a copy if asked after about 6 months. I only ask for copies I think I will need as references for future indexes. Frankly, storing the books I received years ago and never look at has become a hassle. So, I only ask for the ones I really will use again. I send a thank you note to each author or editor who does have a book sent, and that has increased the number of books I have received from repeat clients (I admit that I used to just dump them in a pile and not acknowledge them, until I had some postcards made up with my name and address, which I use for this purpose). Barbara -- Barbara E. Cohen Indexing & Editorial Services Champaign, IL ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Apr 1996 16:12:42 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Carolyn Weaver Subject: Re: Courier fees In-Reply-To: <9604051501.AA12295@mx5.u.washington.edu> ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- It's certainly NOT double-dipping! The delivery charges the client pays gets reported on 1099 form [non-US people, this is the form the client has to file with Internal Revenue Service for all fees paid to freelancers over a certain amount], and the indexer has to pay 15% self-employment taxes on it - which is why I prefer to use the client's FEDEX number whenever possible. But I am no longer willing to eat several hundred dollars a year in FEDEX charges; I'd rather pay the tax than absorb the whole cost. Carolyn Weaver Bellevue, Wa. e-mail: cweaver@u.washington.edu voice: 206/930-4348 On Fri, 5 Apr 1996 MTOWERY@aol.com wrote: > ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- > > I also don't think it is right to both charge a client extra for postage and > then also use that as a deduction--isn't that a bit like double-dipping? ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Apr 1996 16:12:53 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Larry Harrison Subject: Re: Courier fees ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Margie Towery wrote: >What indexers offer is less a chair or shirt than a professional service. For >example, neither my bank nor my accountant asked me to pay their postage, >although that cost is no doubt hidden within their charges. > >I also don't think it is right to both charge a client extra for postage and >then also use that as a deduction--isn't that a bit like double-dipping? >SNIP< No, it's not double-dipping, because you also report the reimbursed charges as revenue. It just cancels out. In fact, if you charge any one client more than $600 they issue a 1099 form to you and the IRS, and they must include all payments, including expense reimbursements, in this report. Deducting the expense is the only way to avoid paying taxes on the reimbursement. Regards, Larry Harrison (larryh@millcomm.com) 507/280-0049 Freelance book indexing Rochester, Minnesota ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Apr 1996 16:13:03 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Nan Badgett <76400.3351@compuserve.com> Subject: Courier fees ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Two more cents about this topic: Through my experience in book production, I know that most editorial freelancers (proofreaders, copyeditors, etc.) charge the customer for shipping. Even book packagers who subcontract entire production jobs charge the publishers for all shipping related to a job (to and from the publisher AND to and from freelancers). But I agree with the idea that each person must choose what is comfortable for themselves. Nan Badgett Word-a-bil-i-ty ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Apr 1996 16:13:22 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: MariaYoung@aol.com Subject: Re: Cindex Question ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Just so that you CINDEX users out there know, it is possible to sort by the second field. Issue the SORT command, and set the "order of fields" switch to read 21345... Fields can be "flipped" a record at a time by positioning the cursor on the higher of the two fields that you wish to invert and pressing the + key. There are also a couple of methods for inverting fields "en masse." If anyone would like to know more, drop me a line at askcindex@aol.com Thanks, Maria Sullivan Young ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Apr 1996 16:13:32 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: MaryMort@aol.com Subject: Re: Courier fees - tax deduction ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- In a message dated 96-04-05 09:48:12 EST, Margie Towery wrote: >I also don't think it is right to both charge a client extra for postage and >then also use that as a deduction--isn't that a bit like double-dipping? I believe this refers to a comment I made in this thread, so I want to clarify. I wasn't going to deduct the reimbursed postage as a business expense, but the clients included that amount in the 1099. For example, say the total I invoiced (and received from) a client in 1995 was $1000 for indexing, $50 for postage. The amount of income shown on the 1099 is $1050. To truly represent my income, I deduct the $50 postage as a business expense. If I didn't, my income would be overstated by $50. If I'm doing this wrong, there's still time to correct me, as I haven't filed my taxes yet. (Yes, I'm doing them myself, with TurboTax.) Mary -- * Mary Mortensen * marymort@aol.com * 2100 Heatherwood Dr. #G4 * 913-841-3631 * Lawrence, KS 66047 ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Apr 1996 16:13:51 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: JPerlman@aol.com Subject: Re: Courier fees ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Margie's instincts were correct about charging a client for postage and then claiming it as an expense. Not a wise thing to do. If it is reimbursed, strictly speaking, the postage or shipping should not be taken as a tax deduction. Anybody who does this is looking for trouble with the IRS if audited. I'm always glad when I can get a FedEx number from a client, but believe me, folks, -- it's not our god-given right to get this, and there are many publishers and packagers, especially, who do not do extend this courtesy to indexers. So try to get it if you think that's the way to go (and why not lower your expenses!), but basically it is your (our) cost of doing business as an indexer, and not anybody else's responsibility. Janet Perlman Southwest Indexing ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Apr 1996 16:14:01 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: JPerlman@aol.com Subject: Re: Folio Copies ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Craig, I sometimes get my portfolio copies, and then months later. By and large, that goes by the wayside. I've only asked for it, reminded, when it was really important for me to have the copy of the book -- particularly good index, solved some difficult problems in it, I want to use the book as a reference in the future, etc. Otherwise, I usually let it go. After years in the business, you'll have quite a collection if everybody sends you a portfolio copy! What will you do with all those books?! I have enough trouble finding a place in my house for the ones I buy and collect and love, without adding many portfolio copies on top of that! My two cents worth! Janet Perlman Southwest Indexing