Date: Wed, 23 Feb 1994 11:21:56 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "CUNNINGHAM,JOHN MICHAEL,MR" Subject: automatic abstracting ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- I am currently conducting research on automatic abstracting and would appreciate information on recent research (published or unpublished) in this area. Many thanks, Mike Cunningham. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 1994 11:29:00 ECT Reply-To: Elaine Brennan Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group Comments: Resent-From: Charlotte Skuster From: Charlotte Skuster Subject: 7.0511 Qs: Book Index S/W; Spanish Texts on CD-ROM (2/54) I am helping out with some technical advice on how to effectively create an index for a major two volume linguistic handbook. Automatic indexing is not an issue for this project since we are concerned about indexing quality and the book is not available for us in an easily tractable machine readable format. What I am looking for is some piece of software (preferably running on Macintoshes) that allows for quick and consistent entry of keywords per page. The sceanrio would be as follows: a) entries for the index will be marked intellectually/manually in the printed edition of the book. b) the marked entries will then be keyed into a computer. For the second step it would be very helpful to have some program that allows entry completion, so that it is no longer necessary to type a complete entry once that entry has been entered into the index. E.g., one types SY and the system completes to SYNTA since SYNTAX and SYNTACTIC are already in the index. Typing an additional X or C would then be sufficient for a disambiguation of the first word of the index entry etc. Such a procedure would not only speed up typing, what is more important is that it helps creating consistent index entries. Has anybody done this before? Does anybody know of software supporting this? Helmut Feldweg Seminar f"ur Sprachwissenschaft, Universit"at T"ubingen Wilhelmstr. 113, D-72074 T"ubingen, Germany Tel: +49 7071 294279 Fax: +49 7071 550520 E-mail: feldweg@sfs.nphil.uni-tuebingen.de ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 Feb 1994 16:35:03 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Tim Craven Subject: Re: automatic abstracting ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Relatively little work seems to have been done on automatic abstracting, especially recently. The latest published reference that I have is still Paice, CD. 1990. Constructing literature abstracts by computer: techniques and prospects. Information processing and management. 26. 1. 171-186. I have a number of earlier references, if anyone is interested. Tim Craven, GSLIS, Elborn Coll., | t.craven@uwo.ca Univ. of Western Ontario, | (519)-679-2111 ext. 8497 London, Ont. N6G 1H1 CANADA | fax (519)-661-3506 ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 1994 16:18:14 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Fred Rowley Subject: Technical Manual Indexing ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- February 22, 1994 I'd like to comment about multiple indexes vs. single indexes, but my example is not about technical manual indexing. For the last several years I've been helping program a film database, from which two Dance Films and Videos catalogs have already been published. I haven't acted as an indexer on the project, or a member of the editorial staff, but because I'm responsible for generating the indexes I've suggested programming approaches that affect their design and contents. It so happens that our last printed edition contained no fewer than seven indexes, (as opposed to the 'ideal' single index which comes highly recommended on INDEX-L). There are so many indexes in our latest book, mind you, that in total they comprise 36% of its paper--pages 132 through 218. Although the book's manuscript was generated from a database, please don't get the impression it resembles a telephone book or an accountant's ledger. Its editors, art director and publisher crafted the computer manuscript into an attractive and responsible directory. Contents include dance films and videos, choreographers, composers, dancers, dance companies, film directors, dance subjects, and video distributors. The categories coincidentally define the audience and provide the contexts for which the book's different indexes were built. I'll describe the book because I think there's a redeeming and general point that can be made in defense of multiple indexes. Our catalog's main body contains detailed bibliographic style film listings with abstracts, alphabetically arranged by title, more than 2,000 of them. Each of the seven indexes, (they all follow the main body), is built around a simple premise of importance to dance or film. CHOREOGRAPHER, for example is an index where choreographers appear listed together with the video titles (not page numbers) in which their work appears. The same pattern generally repeats in every index reserved for artists, and also extends to the 'Subjects' index-- being the editor's determination whether a film qualifies in one or more of 30 different subject areas, Ballet, Modern, or Folk Dance, etc. It occurred to me as I read some of the INDEX-L letters on the merits of having a single index, that unifying our seven indexes into a single one although technically possible, would unhappily remove much information which is central to our book and its editorial design. Curiously this information can only be clearly displayed through the use of multiple indexes. What sort of information would disappear if multiple indexes were abandoned? Well, because our artist indexes separately list major and minor performers side-by-side and in alphabetical order, readers have the chance to visually weigh the presence and contributions of each artist and the work they performed with respect to other artists. This comparison happens in a single, unfettered context and within a compact index requiring limited space. I think this visual comparison feature qualifies as preferred editorial form. And it can only be had through indexing, not by prose authorship. In addition, many of the artists represented in the book are multi-talented, being dancers, choreographers, composers and directors rolled into one. It's quite common for many names to appear in more than one index. And once readers figure out the system, finding the artist as dancer vs. choreographer is made exceptionally direct and swift. This correlation is also evident in the film descriptions where artists are listed by function. I am not certain of the total number of artists represented, but it certainly approaches 5,000. Now I understand how the gross redundancy we generated in the book can be heartily criticized. 'It's too computery' is a common and flippant remark. The severest criticism it seems to me for not having a single index, is that separating artists by the different contexts in which they must be perceived in order to find them, means that newer readers unfamiliar with the layout of the book, must possibly hunt through several indexes, not just one. Also, if a reader has the impression an artist is a dancer, but instead is listed as a choreographer, then unless the reader searches in the choreographer index, the artist will never be found. Another argument can be made that multiple indexes use much more paper, causing publishers to noticeably wince and nervously reach for their calculators. So what is my point? Despite my appreciation for the elegance of a single index, I prefer to think that our multiple dance film indexes significantly enhance the book rather than detract from it. They provide additional, focused communicative value, which a single index could never achieve. At the reader level, our indexes provide some fun. They are revealing, informative, and of real use to browsers of different sophistications and persuasions-- readers who are subject enthusiasts and fans, or merely nice folks looking for an entertaining Flamenco film. In my view the merits of providing one giant index vs. seven leisurely lists in our case, comes heavily down on the side of seven. Can't something general be stipulated? I wonder if our multiple indexes work because our information is volumous, repetitious, multi-faceted, and widely dispersed throughout the book?. If listed in a single index, for example, I calculate that Merce Cunningham a notable contributor to Modern Dance, would receive no fewer than 33 index citations, provided the artistic function divisions were somehow retained. 33 page numbers subdivided by category following an entry is not unmanageable, but if repeated in a main index for all 5,000 artists, the visual effect of a single index would surely resemble science fiction. Another point: I really can't believe that our dance film example is merely a passing aberration. All sorts of books, catalogs, and technical manuals having similar characteristics--volumous, repetitious, multi-contextual, and widely dispersed information-- are weekly being hatched in every publishing corner imaginable: government, the sciences, engineering, and computing, just to finger four. These days it's common and routine in mainstream technical fields, for authors and editors to document multi-faceted systems, where the same data, names, ideas, and terms apply in a variety of contexts, and are used for different purposes, and addressed to different audiences, all within the same publication. Why it's a veritable minefield of confusion out there, as I sometimes read in INDEX-L, and to the great frustration of many indexers. It seems to me that the growing complexity in technical media while it presents new challenges, also offers new indexing opportunities. When they can do a better job, new tools are sometimes needed to solve new problems. In many cases, multiple indexes might just be the tools to use. Sincerely, Fred Rowley ROWLEY@Zodiac.Rutgers.edu ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 1994 16:18:44 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: MaryEllen Read Subject: Indexing Project (fwd) ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Thought someone on this list would surely have some info for David. Maryellen Read mread@creighton.edu ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Wed, 23 Feb 1994 09:25:22 -0500 From: David Bruner To: Multiple recipients of list SEDIT-L Subject: Indexing Project Our university, which is celebrating its centennial in five years, has never had a comprehensive history written about it. We have three or four biographies, a couple of "pop" histories, and several master's theses, but none has an adequate index. To meet a variety of needs, ranging from those of frustrated patrons and reference librarians to the professor charged with writing a "centennial celebration" piece, we'd like to create a master name/subject index which would pull all these sources together. Can anybody recommend any particular readings or software that would get us started? ---David Bruner Special Collections Cataloging Librarian Alkek Library, Rm. 218 Southwest Texas State University San Marcos, TX 78666 Tel. 512/245-3885 Fax: 512/245-3002 db07@academia.swt.edu ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 Feb 1994 16:23:57 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: L Lathrop Subject: Re: automatic abstracting ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- In response to a post from John Cunningham for information on automatic abstracting, I performed an online search of the Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries (CARL). Using the keywords "automated abstracting" I found the following reference: Nesterov, P.V., Belongov. G.G., Zenenkov, Yu G., "An Interactive System for Automated Abstracting Using a Standard Phrase Dictionary" in Automatic Documentation and Mathematical Linguis, 1991, v 25, n 4, page 7. And using the keywords "abstracting software" I found the following: "Getting to Know Lisa and Other Thoughts in Abstracting" in Library Software Review, Nov. 1, 1990, v 9, n 6, page 357. Hope this helps. *********************************************************************** Lori Lathrop -------------> INTERNET:76620.456@compuserve.com Lathrop Media Services (technical writing, editing, & indexing services) *********************************************************************** ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 1994 14:21:25 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Jessica Milstead <76440.2356@CompuServe.COM> Subject: Technical Manual Indexin ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Hi Fred, You certainly make a solid case for multiple indexes in your special case, and I'd be the last one to denigrate creativity that serves a useful purpose. One of the points you seem to consider an advantage is for me the opposite: >> It's quite common for many names to appear in more than one index. And once readers figure out the system, finding the artist as dancer vs. choreographer is made exceptionally direct and swift. Why require readers to "figure out the system" any more than is absolutely necessary? Worse, why assume they will -- aren't they likely, when they fail to find what they want under Merce Cunningham's name, to assume that the info just isn't there? As for redundancy and space, one can't judge this without knowing just how much extra space was required by the additional indexing. And, of course, space isn't just paper (and trees) and printing cost; it's weight and cumbersomeness in the book. Though your book obviously isn't immense. >>Can't something general be stipulated? I wonder if our multiple indexes work because our information is volumous, repetitious, multi-faceted, and widely dispersed throughout the book?. This applies to many, many books, as you suggest. Bottom line is, what will serve the most users the best? And indexing *is* still an art, not a science. Jessica Milstead 76440.2356@compuserve.com ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 Feb 1994 14:21:52 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: pilarw@aol.com Subject: New Medical Terminology ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Calling for citations of new medical terminology... a colleague is doing a master's thesis on the formation of new medical language, and I am collecting examples of new words. If you have come upon any new medical terms in your indexing (new as in it's not in the latest dictionaries), please let me know. I would appreciate any and all examples, with definitions and listings of the authors who coined them (or journal/article title in which they appeared, for example) if possible. No new drug names, please. Thank you. L. Pilar Wyman Wyman Indexing E-mail: PilarW@aol.com ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Feb 1994 10:46:38 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Nancy Humphreys Subject: Re: Technical Manual Indexing ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Your discussion of multiple versus single indexes brought up a question for me. You have already covered some of the disadvantages of multiple indexes, so I'll skip those. My question is whether you are trying to use the index as what librarians refer to a reference work, e.g., an encyclopedia. I think you are saying that the number of page references next to an artists name somehow indicate how important that artist is to the field. Can the work you are producing definitively answer that question? I doubt it. Surely if people want to know who was important, they will consult a standard reference encyclopedia or handbook first, and not an index! ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Feb 1994 10:47:06 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "C.JACOBS" Subject: Technical Manual Indexing ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- RE: Multiple indexes Although I agree in principle with single sequence indexes, I also feel that there are times when two or more sequences may be appropriate. For instance, as a user, I appreciate having a Command index in software manuals. However, I also expect to be able to find the concept associated with the command in the subject index. That way, as I become used to the program I can go directly to the command I want without having to wade through other terms (which are sometimes the same word with different meanings (eg: command, button name, hard- ware reference). It is also important to distinguish between subject indexes and indexes to other types of information. For example, there is a difference between index references to individuals who are discussed in a text and the references to cited individuals. In one case you find information about the person, and in the other the cited reference. The Dance Film catalogue is another good example. In most cases the indexes are to individuals and organizations associated with the productions. The subject index is there to provide access to the subjects of the productions. I have worked on similar publica- tions at the National Film Board, and we also use multiple indexes for similar reasons. We even have two subject indexes (PRECIS and general) Distinguishing between subject and other types of information should help you decide when multiple indexes are appropriate, but you also need to look at the quantity of information and probable use by experienced and inexperienced users (for example, a Command index is really aimed at experienced users who are familiar with the manual) Sometimes multiple indexes are better than a hodge-podge. Christine Jacobs incj@musicb.mcgill.ca Montreal, Quebec ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Feb 1994 10:47:38 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "THOMAS J. KUHR" <71232.3570@CompuServe.COM> Subject: Technical manual indexing ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- It sounds to me that Fred Rowley is not describing a technical manual with straightforward prose that is being indexed, but rather a directory (film and videos listed alphabetically by title). It has long been standard practice in directory publication to have "sections" or categories of information separated from the main body of the work but referring back to it. You could, for example, have a corporation directory with the main body of corporations listed in alpha order, with sections of executive names, sic codes categories, etc. By virtue of the definition of an index, an entry which points elsewhere, these sections are certainly indexes, but not necessarily what those of us in the indexing field conceptually think of when we discuss an index to a "prose" work. For directories, rather than technical manuals or prose works, multiple "indexes" certainly are effective, acceptable and understood by the user. Pat Kuhr Editor, Subject Authority Files H.W.Wilson Company patkuhr@info.hwwilson.com 71232.3570@compuserve.com ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Feb 1994 10:48:20 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: BPHOLMES@ac.dal.ca Subject: Index Search ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- I am searching for a indexing source that includes a serial publication called The Reporter, that was functioning in the United States in around 1950. I am also searching for a serial publication called Redbook, that was publishing in around 1960. I am searching for some essays that were published in that serial in approximately that time. If anyone knows of such sources, could he or she send on the references to me via electronic mail? Your help is very much appreciated. :) Boyd Holmes bpholmes@ac.dal.ca ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Feb 1994 10:51:08 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: ppzohav@aol.com Subject: Re: A Probably Naieve ??? ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Hi, It has occasionally come to me that I am indexing works that I comprehend to, let's say, the 75% level. I can tell what the text is about, when they shift topics, and what they call whatever it is. In addition, I often have guides from the author as to what stuff ought to be called. But my questions are... Does this situation happen to others? Assuming that other indexers get books in which they do not grasp absolutely everything going on, is there such a thing as "responsible levels of ignorance" in indexing? When does one "wing it" Whan necessary, what is the most professionally responsible and gracious way to "bail out" to ones editor? Just thought I'd ask. Yours truly, Paul Z. ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Feb 1994 10:51:41 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: hairylarry@aol.com Subject: Re: Technical Manual Indexing ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Mr Rowley (and INDEX-L): I think you made the best argument against multiple indexes when you pointed out that a person unfamiliar with the various roles of an artist would not find the artist without searching several indexes. The structure is no doubt elegant and you seem justifiably proud of it, but I think of the person using the index and wonder how much effort they will put into understanding your system. I fear that the unique benefits of the system you describe may be available only to those involved in its construction. Regards, Larry Harrison ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Feb 1994 15:46:09 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Norm Howden Subject: Re: A Probably Naieve ??? ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- > Paul Z. wrote: > > ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- > Hi, It has occasionally come to me that I am indexing works that I > comprehend to, let's say, the 75% level. I can tell what the text is about, > when they shift topics, and what they call whatever it is. In addition, I > often have guides from the author as to what stuff ought to be called. But > my questions are... Does this situation happen to others? Assuming that > other indexers get books in which they do not grasp absolutely everything > going on, is there such a thing as "responsible levels of ignorance" in > indexing? When does one "wing it" Whan necessary, what is the most > professionally responsible and gracious way to "bail out" to ones editor? > Just thought I'd ask. > Yours truly, > Paul Z. Database indexers are usually expected to have a fair degree of expertise with a subject area. They tend to collect introductory textbooks, taxonomies, dictionaries, thesauruses, encyclopedia articles, and other materials that will help with the terminology. As a further resort, most know someone in the subject field to call with questions. It sure seems to me that a book indexer would collect similar materials and use them to build further on their knowledge base. Clearly it is not possible to understand every concept in a field, but when the degree of understanding reaches the point where the indexer does not understand important methodologies or relationships between terms it is probably time to either transfer the project or ask a colleague for help. +---------------------------------------------------------------+ | Norman Howden | | | | School of Library and Information Sciences | | University of North Texas | | howden@lis.unt.edu (817) 565-2760 | +---------------------------------------------------------------+ ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 28 Feb 1994 15:46:39 ECT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: AnnMarie Mitchell Subject: Re: Index Search In-Reply-To: <9402281551.AA25615@library.Berkeley.EDU> ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Redbook and The Reporter are both indexed in The Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature and The Cumulative Index to Periodical Literature. Reader's Guide, one of the famous Wilson indexes, goes back many decades and is held by most libraries, including public libraries. I don't think you'll find much trouble finding the other one, either. AnnMarie Mitchell Research Services and Collection Development Dept. The Library, University of California at Berkeley On Mon, 28 Feb 1994 BPHOLMES@ac.dal.ca wrote: > ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- > I am searching for a indexing source that includes a serial publication > called The Reporter, that was functioning in the United States in around > 1950. > > I am also searching for a serial publication called Redbook, that was > publishing in around 1960. I am searching for some essays that were published > in that serial in approximately that time. > > If anyone knows of such sources, could he or she send on the references to > me via electronic mail? > > Your help is very much appreciated. :) > > Boyd Holmes > bpholmes@ac.dal.ca