========================================================================= Date: Mon, 1 Mar 1993 09:28:55 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "Nancy C. Mulvany" Subject: Another letter ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Here's the text of the letter to STC. My letter to The New Yorker is nowhere to be found on my hard disk.... February 16, 1993 Clark Mulligan Editor, INTERCOM Society for Technical Communications 901 N. Stuart St., Suite 904 Arlington, VA 22203-1854 Dear Mr. Mulligan, I found the article, "Indexing From the Desktop--One Writer's Method," in the January 1993 issue of INTERCOM to be quite disappointing. While there are an amazing number of matters to take issue with in this short, 2-page article, first I will focus my attention on one statement: "The author is the best person to do the indexing, not an independent third party or a professional indexer." This is akin to saying that "The programmer is the best person to write the manual, not an independent third party or a professional writer. The programmer should know the users, anticipate their special needs..." An unstated premise of this article is that any writer can write an index. Unfortunately this premise is accepted throughout the industry as we see that indexing one's manual is often part of the job description of a technical writer. It is fair to assume that the vast majority of indexes for computer documentation are indeed written by the authors of the documentation. It is no wonder that in a recent PC Computing poll (April 1992, pp. 212-214), users of computer documentation rated the printed index as the most important component of the package. As a rule, readers do not notice good indexes because they are in and out of them quickly; they find what they want and return to the text. On the other hand, bad indexes are a quagmire not soon forgotten. The results of the PC Computing poll are not an indication of excellence in technical indexing, but rather a commentary on the dismal state of the indexes in many computer manuals. Just think of the countless hours wasted by users who cannot locate information that is in documentation because of poor indexes. Talk to any manager of a technical support department and you will find that the support staff spends too much time reiterating information present in the documentation. Think of the time (and therefore, money) that would be saved if users truly had thorough and accurate access to the information provided in product documentation. The highly structured, authored subject index is one of the most efficient and oldest information retrieval tools. Nowhere in the article is training in indexing mentioned. I am surprised that both the author and the editor of the article found no problems with some of the sample index entries used. For example, on page 4 the "Screens" entry is not in alphabetic order and the sub-subentries, all with same page reference, under "Account Setup screen" indicate improper structure. Alphabetizing principles and the internal structure of entries are topics covered in any basic indexing course. While reference is made to The Chicago Manual of Style, the author fails to mention that the vast majority of index modules in document processing software cannot produce an index that conforms to the requirements of the Manual of Style. This fact has been well documented in the professional indexing literature. In the article we are told that "Style means to structure your index so each index item has the same grammatical form." Hopefully it is apparent to most of your readers that index style involves much more than "grammatical form." This should be obvious since no less than 46 pages are devoted to the index style requirements of the University of Chicago Press in Chapter 18 of the 13th edition of The Chicago Manual of Style; the IBM Corporation's indexing style guide is 68 pages long; the current draft revision of the American National Standard Guidelines for Indexes in Information Retrieval (ANSI/NISO Z39.4-199x) is 64 pages long. These publications address index style in depth and cover much more than "grammatical form." Throughout the industry we now have plenty of examples of indexes written by writers who lack indexing training and experience. It is unfair to expect technical writers to produce adequate indexes when they have no training in this area. It is a disservice to writers, indexers, and documentation end users for Curry to dismiss the services of professional indexers. The voluminous amount of end-user computer documentation published today has been a boon to the indexing profession. I dare say that no other segment of the American publishing industry has contributed as significantly to a heightened awareness of the special skills of the professional indexer. I hope that future articles about indexing published by the Society for Technical Communication will present a more informed and professional perspective than did your January 1993 INTERCOM article. Sincerely, Nancy Mulvany Past President, American Society of Indexers Owner, Bayside Indexing Services ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 1 Mar 1993 09:29:17 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Jan Wright Subject: Re: I "cc:'d" the List ! ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Thank you, Nancy, for writing those letters! I saw the indexing one in STC too, and it was on my list of people to write to as well. I couldn't believe that the STC, many of whose members value a good index, would publish that article without thinking about how indexers might feel to be seen as not what is really needed to index a book well. ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 1 Mar 1993 12:06:05 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Dave Strickler Subject: Telecommute Indexing ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- I have recently accepted (but not yet begun) a position as indexer/abstractor of nursing literature. The particularly attractive aspect of this position was the freedom to work at home, then upload the results to the office. This freedom allows me to move out of the unlovely Los Angeles, but brings a host of new challenges and complexities. I would be interested in communicating with anyone who is currently telecommuting as an abstractor/indexer. Many thanks. Dave Strickler, Los Angeles STRICKLE@USCVM ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 1 Mar 1993 12:06:27 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Paul Mangiafico Subject: ACH-ALLC 93 Conference Announcement ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- THE ASSOCIATION FOR COMPUTERS AND THE HUMANITIES THE ASSOCIATION FOR LITERARY AND LINGUISTIC COMPUTING 1993 JOINT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE JUNE 16-19, 1993 GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY WASHINGTON, DC On behalf of the Executive Committees of the Association for Computers and the Humanities and the Association for Literary and Linguistic Computing, we cordially invite you to attend the fifth annual joint international conference, to be held at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., June 16-19, 1993. This conference is the major forum for discussion of the preparation, encoding, and use of character-based electronic text and for computer-based research in literature, linguistics, and related humanities disciplines. It will feature presenters from fourteen countries and include eighty papers on the development of new computing methodologies for research and teaching in the humanities, on the development of significant new materials and tools for humanities research, and on the application and evaluation of computing techniques in humanities subjects. Keynote addresses will be delivered by Hugh Kenner, Franklin and Calloway Professor of English at the University of Georgia, and Clifford Lynch, Director of Library Automation at the Office of the President, University of California. A special feature will be a series of sessions, organized by the library community, on electronic resources for the humanities. Other attractions include a forum on the Text Encoding Initiative and encoding with SGML, a software fair, banquet, vendor display, and optional text-analysis workshop. Georgetown University, situated along the Potomac River in an historic district that predates our Nation's Capital, is the site for the conference. Domestic flights arrive at Washington National Airport, and taxi service (approximately $12) is recommended for the short ride to your accommodations in Georgetown. International flights arrive at Dulles Airport (40 miles away), and a shuttle service ($16 one-way, $26 round-trip) provides transportation into downtown Washington. In the city you will find that taxi service is reasonably priced; a ride to Georgetown from downtown will cost approximately $7. Parking in Washington is prohibitively expensive, so participants are urged to take public transportation to the conference. American Airlines will offer domestic-flight discounts of 5% off all relevant fares for conference participants flying to and from Washington, DC between June 12th and June 22nd. To obtain this discount, call the American Airlines Meeting Services Desk at 1- 800-433-1790 and specify the Star Number S1463FS for ACH-ALLC93. The Association for Computers and the Humanities is a professional society for scholars working in computer-related research in literature and language studies, history, philosophy, and other disciplines of the humanities. Individual membership is $60 US a year and includes a subscription to Computers and the Humanities (six issues a year) and the ACH Newsletter (four issues a year). The Association for Literary and Linguistic Computing was founded in 1973 as an international association to promote the development of literary and linguistic computing. Membership is by personal subscription to the journal Literary and Linguistic Computing, which is published by Oxford University Press, Pinkhill House, Southfield Road, Eynsham, Oxford, OX8 1JJ. Subscription rates for 1992 are L30 (UK) or $57 (rest of the world). On-site registration will be held from 9 am to 9 pm at the ACH- ALLC93 Conference Headquarters in Copley Formal Lounge beginning June 15th and extending throughout the conference. At 6 pm on June 15th, a welcome cocktail party for participants will be held on the upper-level esplanade of the Leavey Conference Center. The conference will commence with an opening session on Wednesday, June 16th, at 9 am in Gaston Hall. Occasional reports of interest to participants will be accessible by Internet, either through the Georgetown University Gopher server (in the ACH_ALLC93 directory) or by anonymous ftp from guvax.georgetown.edu (141.161.1.2) in directory ACH_ALLC93. Options for accommodations at the conference include: 1. Village C Residence Hall on campus. $50 a night (single) or $25 a night (double). Air conditioned with private bath, daily linen service. Furnishings Spartan but clean. Staff assistance. Telephones and televisions in common areas only. 3- minute walk to conference sessions. Optional meal plan available on campus at $20 a day. Access to gym and pool available at $10 a week. 10-12 minute walk to Georgetown shopping and restaurants. Vending machines on site. Parking available at $10 a day, $30 a week. Extensions of reservations at the conference rate are available for several days before and after the conference. 2. Leavey Conference Center Hotel on campus. $115 a night (single), $130 (double) with sales tax @ 11% plus $1.50 a night occupancy tax. Full services and plush furnishings of a new and luxurious conference hotel. 3-minute walk to sessions. Access to gym and pool available at $5 a day. 13-15 minute walk to Georgetown shopping and restaurants. Restaurants on site. Parking available at $9 for a 24-hour period. Extensions of reservations at conference rate depend upon availability; contact the hotel soon at the address below. 3. Georgetown Inn (in business district). $95 per room a night (single or double) with tax at 11% plus $1.50 a night. Complimentary continental breakfast and parking. Air conditioned with private bath. Atmosphere and furnishings of a small, recently remodeled hotel. Service from front desk and concierge. Telephones and television in rooms. 10-15 minute walk (up slight incline) to campus and sessions; free conference van service at regular intervals. No access to gym or pool. In the heart of tourist and shopping district. Restaurants on site and nearby. Extensions of reservations at conference rate depend upon availability; contact the hotel soon at the address below. REPLY FORM Please return to: Dr. Michael Neuman, Local Organizer ACH-ALLC93 Academic Computer Center 238 Reiss Science Building Georgetown University Washington, DC 20057 Country code: 1 phone: 202-687-6096 fax: 202-687-6003 Internet: ach_allc93@guvax.georgetown.edu (Details provided below will be used to compile the Conference List of Participants. Please enter your name and affiliation as you would like them to appear on your badge.) Your Name: Institution/Affiliation: Title: Surface-mail address: City, State or District, Postal Code, and Country: Telephone: Fax: Email: Software Fair: Please check here if you would like to demonstrate a product or project. Yes ___ Then specify requirements for operating system, RAM, hard disk space, special graphics or controller cards, or software platform needed for your demonstration. FEES Please enter relevant amounts (in US$) and return this form with your remittance to the address above. Registration status: Amount Regular registration $140 ___ Member of ACH or ALLC in good standing 100 ___ Spouses, companions 30 ___ Graduate students 30 ___ One-day rate (Specify day and date) 70 ___ Other approved designation (Please specify) ___ Late registration surcharge (after June 1) 20 ___ (Cancellation penalty after May 15): $20 Registration includes access to all program sessions, special-interest-group meetings, software fair, exhibits, and inter-session refreshments. Membership fee: Association for Computers and the Humanities at $60 ___ Assoc. for Literary and Linguistic Computing at $57 ___ Banquet (7:30 p.m. Thursday 6/17/93) Number ___ at $38 ___ Name of guest _____________________________________ Please note any dietary restriction: Residence hall* at $50 per night (single) or $25 (double) Number of nights ___ at nightly rate $ ___ = Total: ___ If double, please include name of the other person: Arrival/check-in date: Departure/check-out date: Check-in at Village C Residence Hall beginning Tuesday, June 15 at 9 am or (by prior arrangement). GRAND TOTAL for registration, membership fee, banquet, and residence-hall lodging ___ Method of payment in US$ (Please do not send cash.) Check or money order (enclosed) ___ Payable to: Georgetown University Credit card (Mastercard or Visa) ___ Card number _____________________ Expiration date _________________ Name as it appears on card _____________________ * For alternative lodging, please make your reservation before May 15, 1993 at hotel or conference center directly. Reservations at conference rate may not be available after May 15. GU Conference Center The Georgetown Inn 3800 Reservoir Road, NW 1310 Wisconsin Avenue NW Box 2315 Hoya Station Washington, DC 20007 Washington, DC 20057 Phone from USA and Canada Phone from USA and Canada 800-424-2979 800-446-9476 From other countries From other countries 1-202-333-8900 1-202-687-3232 Fax: 202-625-1744 Fax: 202-687-3291 Be sure to mention ACH-ALLC93 when making reservations, and confirm the conference rate listed under options for lodging. Please check here if arranging your own accommodations. ___ Program Chair: Marianne Gaunt, Rutgers University International Program Committee: Thomas Corns, University of Wales (ALLC) Paul Fortier, University of Manitoba (ACH) Jacqueline Hamesse, Universit/e catholique de Louvain- la-Neuve (ALLC) Susan Hockey, Center for Electronic Text in the Humanities (ALLC) Nancy Ide, Vassar College (ACH) Randall Jones, Brigham Young University (ACH) Michael Neuman, Georgetown University (ACH) Antonio Zampolli, University of Pisa (ALLC) Local Organizer: Michael Neuman, Georgetown University ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1993 08:52:51 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Bonny McLaughlin Subject: Re: Telecommute Indexing In regard to Dave Strickler's query about telecommuting as an abstractor/indexer, are you by chance going to work for Silver Platter CD-Rom? If so, a number of Southern C alifornia members of the ASI may also be working on this project. If you are interested in attending our next meeting, give me a call and I'll add you to our mailing list. Bonny McLaughlin 909-621-8555, ext. 3904 ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Mar 1993 11:50:50 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Carl Sandstrom Subject: Seeking guidelines for abstracting ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Hi everyone - Having lurked on this list now for a month or two, I finally have a question. But not about indexing. I am looking for guidelines, texts, "how-to" books and the like for abstracting. I know about Lancaster's _Introduction to Indexing and Abstracting_, and Cleveland's _Indexing and Abstracting in Theory and Practice_. Does anyone have any favorite material on the art and craft of abstracting besides these two? Description of standards for "good" abstract? Different types of abstracts? Reactions or comments regarding the two books named above? I should mention that I am primarily interested in abstracting *journal* articles. You may reply either to me or to the list, as you see fit. Thanks. Carl Sandstrom American Bankers Assn Washington, DC csandstr@capcon.net csandstr%capcon.net@cunyvm.cuny.edu ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Mar 1993 11:51:06 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "Erik C. Delfino" Subject: Checklist of Library Software ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- This message is being cross-posted to ACQNET, ARCHIVES, AUTOCAT, BIBSOFT, ILL-L, INDEX-L, LIBADMIN-L, and PACS-L. Apologies for the duplication. The Federal Library and Information Center Committee (FLICC) has just released the latest version of its "Checklist of Microcomputer Based Library Software (CMBLS)." CMBLS (pronounced "symbols") is produced by FLICC for the benefit of the federal library community. However, the electronic edition of CMBLS is available via anonymous ftp to anyone interested. CMBLS is a directory of over 150 microcomputer software products specifically written for library applications. The emphasis is on technical services applications, such as cataloging, circulation, acquisitions, and serials control. However, full-text retrieval software that can be used to create local databases for reference purposes are also included. (General office automation software, such as word processing and spreadsheets, is not included. Neither are CD-ROM and other products specifically designed for reference/end-user applications.) Products for MS-DOS, Macintosh, Apple, and other operating systems are included. Information includes price, product description, MARC compatibility, hardware requirements, etc. Updates to the document will be made several times a year. CMBLS is available in both MS-DOS WordPerfect 5.1 and ASCII formats. PLEASE NOTE: there is currently no print version of CMBLS available; the document is only available in electronic format. To get the WordPerfect document : ftp seq1.loc.gov (or, ftp 140.147.3.12) Userid:> anonymous Password:> your email address cd pub/FLICC binary get cmbls30.w51 bye To get the ASCII document : ftp seq1.loc.gov (or, ftp 140.147.3.12) Userid:> anonymous Password:> your email address cd pub/FLICC ascii get cmbls30.txt bye CMBLS may also be downloaded via dial access from FLICC's ALIX (Automated Library Information eXchange) electronic bulletin board at 202-707-4888. Set your communication software parameters to 2400 or 1200 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and No parity. After logging on, choose: F Files D Download a file 7 File area #7 (Electronic Texts) D Download The CMBLS files are CMBLS30W.ZIP (WordPerfect) and CMBLS30T.ZIP (ASCII). (These files must be uncompressed with PKUNZIP.EXE after downloading.) Download the files you want using a file transfer protocol such as XMODEM, YMODEM, or Kermit. Erik Delfino FEDLINK Network Librarian FLICC-FEDLINK Library of Congress Washington, DC 20540-5100 202-707-4848 delfino@mail.loc.gov ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Mar 1993 13:52:20 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "Kate" Subject: Re: Seeking guidelines for abstracting In-Reply-To: Message of Fri, 5 Mar 1993 11:50:50 ECT from ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- If you can get hold of the training materials for any ERIC clearinghouse, you should find WONDERFUL examples of writing abstracts -- humorous as well as to the point. Also, Ed Cremmins "The Art of Abstracting," while not a hands on how-to book, is an excellent introduction to how to READ for abstract writing. IMHO, though I am a great fan of Lancaster's text (and use it for A&I) neither his nor C&C provides clear examples of well-crafted indicative and informative abstracts in the meaning of the act. Kate McCain "bibliometrics R us" mccainkw@duvm.ocs.drexel.edu ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Mar 1993 13:52:47 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "R.S. Etheredge" Subject: Re: Checklist of Library Software ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Howdee, Regarding the message on getting via ftp a document on library software from Erik Delfino, the ftp server seq1.loc.gov (140.147.3.12) seems to be unavailable. I time out, so a connection cannot be established. Any body else have this problem? Generally, I have been able to ftp anywhere I want to... Thanks for your attention, and have a happy day... Rusty Etheredge ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Mar 1993 15:58:15 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group Comments: Resent-From: Charlotte Skuster Comments: Originally-From: FLANNAGA at OUACCVMB From: Charlotte Skuster ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- For good advice on abstracting, try {On Compiling an Annotated Bibliography} (NY: MLA, 1985), by James Harner. Roy Flannagan ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Mar 1993 15:58:44 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Peter Curtis Subject: Re: Checklist of Library Software In-Reply-To: <199303051903.AA10478@transcom.capcon.net>; from "R.S. Etheredge" at Mar 5, 93 1:52 pm ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- you are not losing it for some reason that ftp does doesn't seem to be up robert Hall pcurtis@capcon.net =========================================================================