Date: Wed, 19 Mar 1997 07:48:15 +0000 From: BITNET list server at BINGVMB (1.8a) Subject: File: "INDEX-L LOG9702D" To: Julius Ariail ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 09:54:05 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Kay Schlembach Subject: Re: Work and family--homeschooling Terrific to see that there are folks combining indexing with homeschooling. Is anyone indexing and raising a large family? I am a novice, working on the USDA course and with an experienced indexer. How do you experienced folks juggle everything? Peace, Kay Kutscha Schlembach ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 10:05:00 -0600 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Georgia Bouda Subject: Re: News from SOLUTIONS, Inc. At 05:10 PM 2/21/97 +0000, you wrote: >Dear Indexing List Subscribers: > >SOLUTIONS, Inc., the largest provider of training for technical, >marketing, and business communication, would like to send each of >you a copy of its award-winning WRITER'S REFERENCE CARD. Newly >updated, the card is a handy guide to punctuation, usage, and more. >Just reply to this e-mail with your name, address, and phone and fax >numbers, and we'll send you a copy of the card. > >We thought you'd also like to know about SOLUTIONS' upcoming seminars >aimed at technical writers, editors and indexers. Whether you're new >to your field or have many years of experience, we have seminars that >will teach you new techniques and sharpen your skills. All seminars >are developed and taught by practicing professionals who are leading >experts in their areas. > >*"Indexing Skills for Technical Communicators," led by LORI LATHROP >Learn a step-by-step approach to developing clear, concise, and useful >indexes for both print and online delivery. >Boston, March 24 >New York, March 26 >Washington, D.C., March 27 >Seattle, April 28 >San Francisco, April 30 >Los Angeles, May 2 >Orlando, June 9 >Chicago, June 11 >Denver, June 13 > >*"Essentials of Editing: How to Edit Print and Online Documents," led >by JUDITH TARUTZ >Shows you what to look for when you edit a technical information >product. Intended for editors and for writers who perform peer edits. >New York, June 16 > >*"Editing for Impact," led by JUDITH TARUTZ >Explains how to make your edits count. Intended for editors and >writers who perform peer edits, this seminar shows you how to improve >usability and quality in ways that matter to your company, even with >limited resources. >New York, June 17 > >For more information, call SOLUTIONS at 1-800-448-4230 or (617) >942-1610, send e-mail to the above address, or check www.sol-sems.com. >To register, call us or use the online form on our web site. > >Finally, to help you save money on professional training, SOLUTIONS >and WinWriters - the leading providers of up-to-the minute information >for Help developers - have formed the Help Training Partner Program. >This reciprocal agreement allows attendees of any SOLUTIONS seminar >to receive a $50 certificate good toward a WinWriters conference; and >attendees of any WinWriters event receive a certificate worth $50 off >a SOLUTIONS seminar. Help Training Partner Program discounts can be >combined with other discounts, so your savings can be considerable. >For more details, please contact SOLUTIONS (800-448-4230) or >WinWriters (800-838-8999, www.winwriters.com). > >Niels Aaboe >SOLUTIONS, Inc. >800-448-4230 >617-942-1610 >617-942-1616 fax >naaboe@world.std.comI I would like to accept your offer. My name and address are Georgia Bouda 3422 W. Burgundy Ct. Mequon, WI 53092 gbouda@fsanet.org ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 09:16:05 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Irving Leskowitz Subject: Instructions Please Would some kind person please forward the email address for the listserv manager and the set of valid instructions for this list? Thanks! -- Fred J. Leskowitz Voice: +1.203.466.5055 Asst. VP Operations Fax: +1.203.466.5054 www.micropat.com = MicroPatent, 250 Dodge Ave., East Haven, CT 06512-3358 ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 08:06:08 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Robert Gardner Subject: Re: News from SOLUTIONS, Inc. R.G. Gardner Computer Sciences Corporation 302 Wilson Road Hatboro, PA 19040 (215) 542-5431 fax: (215) 672-2817 ---------- From: Gordana Latinovic-Rauski[SMTP:agecread@ECON.AGSCI.UBC.CA] Sent: Friday, February 21, 1997 5:33 PM To: Multiple recipients of list INDEX-L Subject: Re: News from SOLUTIONS, Inc. Hi there: My address is Gordana Latinovic-Rauski Dept. of Agricultural Economics Rm. 303, 2053 Main Mall (Angus Bldg.) University of British Columbia Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2 phone (604)822-5469 fax (604)822-2184 At 05:10 PM 2/21/97 +0000, wrote: >Dear Indexing List Subscribers: > >SOLUTIONS, Inc., the largest provider of training for technical, >marketing, and business communication, would like to send each of >you a copy of its award-winning WRITER'S REFERENCE CARD. Newly >updated, the card is a handy guide to punctuation, usage, and more. >Just reply to this e-mail with your name, address, and phone and fax >numbers, and we'll send you a copy of the card. > >We thought you'd also like to know about SOLUTIONS' upcoming seminars >aimed at technical writers, editors and indexers. Whether you're new >to your field or have many years of experience, we have seminars that >will teach you new techniques and sharpen your skills. All seminars >are developed and taught by practicing professionals who are leading >experts in their areas. > >*"Indexing Skills for Technical Communicators," led by LORI LATHROP >Learn a step-by-step approach to developing clear, concise, and useful >indexes for both print and online delivery. >Boston, March 24 >New York, March 26 >Washington, D.C., March 27 >Seattle, April 28 >San Francisco, April 30 >Los Angeles, May 2 >Orlando, June 9 >Chicago, June 11 >Denver, June 13 > >*"Essentials of Editing: How to Edit Print and Online Documents," led >by JUDITH TARUTZ >Shows you what to look for when you edit a technical information >product. Intended for editors and for writers who perform peer edits. >New York, June 16 > >*"Editing for Impact," led by JUDITH TARUTZ >Explains how to make your edits count. Intended for editors and >writers who perform peer edits, this seminar shows you how to improve >usability and quality in ways that matter to your company, even with >limited resources. >New York, June 17 > >For more information, call SOLUTIONS at 1-800-448-4230 or (617) >942-1610, send e-mail to the above address, or check www.sol-sems.com. >To register, call us or use the online form on our web site. > >Finally, to help you save money on professional training, SOLUTIONS >and WinWriters - the leading providers of up-to-the minute information >for Help developers - have formed the Help Training Partner Program. >This reciprocal agreement allows attendees of any SOLUTIONS seminar >to receive a $50 certificate good toward a WinWriters conference; and >attendees of any WinWriters event receive a certificate worth $50 off >a SOLUTIONS seminar. Help Training Partner Program discounts can be >combined with other discounts, so your savings can be considerable. >For more details, please contact SOLUTIONS (800-448-4230) or >WinWriters (800-838-8999, www.winwriters.com). > >Niels Aaboe >SOLUTIONS, Inc. >800-448-4230 >617-942-1610 >617-942-1616 fax >naaboe@world.std.com >http://www.sol-sems.com/ > Gordana Latinovic-Rauski Librarian Agricultural Economics Reading Room UBC agecread@econ.agsci.ubc.ca ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 22 Feb 1997 18:54:41 -0800 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Willa MacAllen Organization: MacAllen's Information Service Subject: special interest group SIG Sarah, the name could be even worse! When I originally posted the note, I considered calling it Special Interest Group Special Interest Group!!!! BTW, I attempted a second post on the SIG on Friday before leaving for North Conway, NH to lead an AMC snowshoe trip. My system indicates that my post on Friday did not make the list, so I'll repeat the message. Briefly, I was trying to determine if there was interest in exploring one of the following possibilities for a new sig. Margie Towery suggested the following possibilities: sports/outdoor activites, sports/travel or cooking/nutrition. If anyone is interest in exploring one of these topics as a sig, please respond by email privately. I'd lean in the direction of sports/outdoor activities or sports/travel, but could be coerced in another direction if there is enough interest to do so. If this is a repeat message, I apologize. Willa MacAllen MacAllen's Information Services Librarian/Technical Writer Boston macallen@tiac.net (Back at my computer after a weekend in the snow!) If this is a duplicate post, I apologize. My system sometimes indicates that mail didn't get through when it actually did! ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 23 Feb 1997 12:13:36 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "Alice G. Klingener" Subject: What Else You Do Hello, I've been inspired by all the diverse occupations and interests of the What do You Do thread, and not just the far-out ones. People manage such varied interests and lives. As an about-to-begin indexer for some time now, I'm ready to begin moonlighting until I retire in two years. My day job is as business manager in a large academic science department. Just completed the USDA course, and enthusiatic about indexing. Outside interests besides reading, reading, reading, are gardening, natural history and music. Not enough time for any of it. Sally ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ - Alice G. Klingener USENET, listserv:-> skling@oitunix.oit.umass.edu Sally Klingener direct email:-> sallyk@bio.umass.edu Biology Department tele: (413) 545-0449 University of Massachusetts fax: (413) 545-3243 Amherst, MA 01003-5810 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 22 Feb 1997 10:48:12 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Craig Brown Subject: "nonindexable" pages Lynn Moncrief asks about charging for the analysis of pages whose content may or may not be included in the index. My opinion was formed early in my mentoring relationship with Barbara Cohen. (Feel free to comment, Barbara, if I misconstrue your thoughts). I was indexing my first book with endnotes and even after reading CMS wasn't sure what to include and what not. Barbara went through the first couple of pages of endnotes with me and excluded nearly every note. They contained only reference material. Later I asked her whether I should charge for those pages and she said that I should. And thus I have done ever since, even though a small percentage of pages in endnotes ever yield substantive contributions to the text. I think the point is that we receive money for the analysis. To look at it another way, if every set of page proofs came to you with the indexable entries already highlighted, and your only job was to key them in, you could probably achieve a pace of several hundred pages per hour, but no one would be willing to pay the going rate for that. My $.02. Craig Brown The Last Word ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 22 Feb 1997 13:10:55 -0600 Reply-To: becohen@prairienet.org Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "Barbara E. Cohen" Subject: Re: reading "nonindexable" pages Lynn: Yes, sometimes I need to look over the plates and figures to understand what I am reading (in archaeology books, I often need to puzzle out the maps in detail before I can understand what is going on, for instance), but I consider that part of the overhead of the job, not something I would charge extra for. (Before anyone jumps on that comment about plates and figures, I am talking about in cases when I don't call out the material separately in the index because it is on the same page as the "plate 1" callout in the text, but I still need to look at the darned thing to be sure I haven't misunderstood what it is all about.) Barbara -- Barbara E. Cohen Indexing & Editorial Services Champaign, IL ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 23 Feb 1997 16:31:27 UT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Sharon Sweeney Subject: Re: Possible Marketing Help I've been reading about the other work that indexers are involved in with great interest. Many of your responses take me back to my days of juggling kids and work--no easy task. Now I have a new goal, and I'm wondering if other indexers share it. My new goal is to take early retirement from my teaching job and "do my own thing." Thus, I've taken the USDA course (but have yet to get my first indexing job). I've also started a graphics design and bulk mail business for small business owners who have a marketing plan but no time to implement it--kind of a "one-stop" marketing shop for small business. With regard to Sonsie's "Possible Marketing Help" message, I have access to a Dun & Bradstreet database of businesses by location, type of business (e.g. publishers), size, etc. From this, I can tailor-make lists for my customers, either giving it to them on disk or doing a bulk mailing for them. Once you buy a list on disk, you can put it in a database and use it as many times as you like. If anyone is interested in more information on this, you can contact me off-list at SHohnerS@msn.com. Sharon Sweeney Hohner Word Design 101 Central Avenue Madison, NJ 07940-1625 ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 22 Feb 1997 00:32:16 +0100 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Martin =?iso-8859-1?Q?Lind=E9n?= Subject: Re: News from SOLUTIONS, Inc. Martin Lind=E9n Royal Institute of Technology Library 100 44 STOCKHOLM Sweden +46 8 790 6673 fax +46 8 10 91 99 martin@lib.kth.se At 17:10 1997-02-21 +0000, you wrote: >Dear Indexing List Subscribers: > >SOLUTIONS, Inc., the largest provider of training for technical, >marketing, and business communication, would like to send each of >you a copy of its award-winning WRITER'S REFERENCE CARD. Newly >updated, the card is a handy guide to punctuation, usage, and more. >Just reply to this e-mail with your name, address, and phone and fax >numbers, and we'll send you a copy of the card. > >We thought you'd also like to know about SOLUTIONS' upcoming seminars >aimed at technical writers, editors and indexers. Whether you're new >to your field or have many years of experience, we have seminars that >will teach you new techniques and sharpen your skills. All seminars >are developed and taught by practicing professionals who are leading >experts in their areas. > >*"Indexing Skills for Technical Communicators," led by LORI LATHROP >Learn a step-by-step approach to developing clear, concise, and useful >indexes for both print and online delivery. >Boston, March 24 >New York, March 26 >Washington, D.C., March 27 >Seattle, April 28 >San Francisco, April 30 >Los Angeles, May 2 >Orlando, June 9 >Chicago, June 11 >Denver, June 13 > >*"Essentials of Editing: How to Edit Print and Online Documents," led >by JUDITH TARUTZ >Shows you what to look for when you edit a technical information >product. Intended for editors and for writers who perform peer edits. >New York, June 16 > >*"Editing for Impact," led by JUDITH TARUTZ >Explains how to make your edits count. Intended for editors and >writers who perform peer edits, this seminar shows you how to improve >usability and quality in ways that matter to your company, even with >limited resources. >New York, June 17 > >For more information, call SOLUTIONS at 1-800-448-4230 or (617) >942-1610, send e-mail to the above address, or check www.sol-sems.com. >To register, call us or use the online form on our web site. > >Finally, to help you save money on professional training, SOLUTIONS >and WinWriters - the leading providers of up-to-the minute information >for Help developers - have formed the Help Training Partner Program. >This reciprocal agreement allows attendees of any SOLUTIONS seminar >to receive a $50 certificate good toward a WinWriters conference; and >attendees of any WinWriters event receive a certificate worth $50 off >a SOLUTIONS seminar. Help Training Partner Program discounts can be >combined with other discounts, so your savings can be considerable. >For more details, please contact SOLUTIONS (800-448-4230) or >WinWriters (800-838-8999, www.winwriters.com). > >Niels Aaboe >SOLUTIONS, Inc. >800-448-4230 >617-942-1610 >617-942-1616 fax >naaboe@world.std.com >http://www.sol-sems.com/ > > ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 22 Feb 1997 17:02:32 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Ann Parrish Subject: Office lighting? Dear Listmembers, I am finally setting up a real home office separate from my bedroom and my dining room. Since I have spent money cautiously, it is far from ideal in furnishings, though I have saved the list's ergonomic advice in a file for more prosperous times. It's greatest limitation now, though, is that it has no lights. I mean none, except for a northwest-facing double window which catches the afternoon sun. Since I am starting with nothing, what lamps or lighting apparatus would you advise? I made a terrible choice for a desk lamp for my college office a few years back; I do not trust my judgment. What has worked for you? With checkbook in hand, Ann Parrish Parrish Professional Indexing ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 21 Feb 1997 15:34:21 -0800 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Elinor Lindheimer Subject: Re: What else do we do? Like many others, I wasn't going to join this thread, but the pleasant feeling it is generating seems to be infectious, and we can all use a bit of that! Until last summer it seemed that indexing work and ASI organization details were consuming my life, forcing my family and community responsibilities to the background. I no longer had time for my longtime hobby, pottery, which had become just another obligation (the thrown pots needed trimming, glazing, etc.). The Symphony of the Redwoods wanted me to take care of their mailing list, but I couldn't manage it. I was missing School Site Council meetings at Mendocino High School, where my daughter is now a sophomore. And whenever my daughter wanted me to take her somewhere or do something with her, I felt overwhelmed and annoyed. Then the work started to become unbearable----all the symptoms of severe burnout. My household was falling apart, and I was falling behind on bill paying--which strained my husband's faith in me tremendously. So I made some changes. After 25 years, I am no longer a full-time indexer, and I am taking only those jobs that I can fit in with what has become my more "normal" life. I feel fortunate to have obtained a job at the front desk of Little River Inn, a family-owned small hotel complex about five minutes' drive from my home, with restaurant, bar, and golf and tennis facilities, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The original home, where the office is, was built in 1953 by a settler from Maine, and it is still owned by the family, most of whom work along with the employees. It became an inn in 1939, and most of the guests are either repeat customers or referrals. My coworkers are intelligent, warm, easygoing people with a passionate dedication to customer service. I feel so lucky every day, being there, looking out at the ocean (I finally saw whales!), getting to see fabulous sunsets and wild storms. I tell people this is the perfect combination of job description and personality. I can't believe I get paid (although about 1/4 of what I can make indexing) for helping make people happy. Plus, I get to use my skills at the computer, and the owner has called me her "editor-in-chief." I'm hoping to get a cookbook together with the chef, who is from the Yucatan, and I've been collecting his recipes and putting them on the computer. We're almost on the web, too, because I've been pushing for it. Now all I need is more money! But I still have the wonderful indexing profession to help us make ends meet, and that is indeed a blessing. As for the rest of my life, my daughter has had to get used to my not being there all day, willing to drop everything and take her wherever. But she's learning to drive and will have her license next year, and all this pain is of course temporary. Both she and my husband miss my being home to cook dinner (I do an afternoon-evening shift most days, which is great for indexing but bad for dinnertime), but they are surviving on Boca Burgers, pizza, and burritos. When I'm feeling particularly energetic I put some beans or soup in the crockpot. I do love cooking, but in the past few years the stress of work has made even that a chore I was avoiding. On Saturdays (which I have finally gotten as a day off) we all try to go to services at our little Jewish synagogue, and my husband and I like to go to the health club together or to the bargain matinee at the movies. I don't get to the health club enough--that's on my "to do" list most of the time. I also try to walk the dog instead of just letting him out. I read--mostly mysteries by women authors, preferably with a "spirit of place" about them. I stopped the newspaper subscription because I was spending too much time reading it, so now I miss that. I won't be renewing most of my subscriptions (Working Woman, The Jerusalem Report, the Center for Science in the Public Interest) as an economy measure. We enjoy going to the theatre, and subscribe to two local repertory groups. We also attend all the symphony concerts (four per year) and subscribe to the Mendocino Music Festival, which takes place in a grand tent set up on the headlands for two weeks in July. Taking advantage of the culture available in this area is something we don't want to economize on. I relax totally by watching funny sitcoms, dramas like NYPD Blue or E.R, and of course Masterpiece Theatre and Mystery. Occasionally we watch videos, although with working at the inn I'm not home as much to do that--but I can borrow from the extensive collection the inn has to loan out to guests. I spend way too much time on email. I talk on the phone or visit with my neighbor, Kathy Pitcoff, who is a full-time medical indexer. I also spend a lot of phone time with ASI colleagues and friends, and with family back east. ASI activities require a lot of time in spurts--right now I'm working with the nominating committee and preparing to be on cookbook-indexing panels and to teach a workshop on cookbook indexing in Winston-Salem. The other volunteer work has had to be put on hold, but I do hope to get back into it. Recently I did manage to proofread the accreditation report for the high school, and I hope to be able to meet with the accreditation people when they come to visit the school. We have wood heat, so I often have to go out to replenish the wood supply. It's my job to stack the wood, and to split it, haul it in a wheelbarrow, and stack it in the house--it's great exercise! I also have a compost pile, but I have been very lax about working in the garden, and it shows. Finally, I stay up too late. Smiles, Elinor Lindheimer elinorl@mcn.org ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 21 Feb 1997 19:27:47 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: LLFEdServ@AOL.COM Subject: Re: reading "nonindexable" pages Lynn, I'm afraid I can't be much help here, with either programming type books, or any other kind. I have never been given a page "limit" less than the total number of pages in the book. The publisher leaves the number of billable indexable pages up to me. In fact, I have had editors/chief editors (some, not all) tell me that they don't care if I charge for every page in the book as long as I don't go over their budget. I have never done this, can't bring myself to. My point is only that I have never encountered the opposite end of the page counting people. Given that I am moving in the more technical direction, I will certainly keep my eyes open. Have you tried negotiating for more pages? (I'm sure you have.) How 'bout a higher page rate (just for yourself and your peace of mind) when you know you'll be working for that publisher? Best of luck, and if I can think of any solutions, I will holler. Leslie LLF Editorial Services ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 22 Feb 1997 17:44:49 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Sue Tortora Subject: WHERE'S THE MAIL? Something strange happened today. No e-mail from the list. Is that possible or have I somehow been taken off the list. I am fairly new to the list and enjoy getting the mail. If someone would e-mail me and let me know if they have gotten e-mail today I would appreciate knowing that so I can alert index-l. Thanks Sue ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 22 Feb 1997 17:06:37 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: TBrtrm@AOL.COM Subject: Re: News from SOLUTIONS, Inc. Writer's Reference Card to: Thelda Bertram 611 Eckrich Pl. Webster Groves, MO 63119 Thank you ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 21 Feb 1997 19:21:23 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: LLFEdServ@AOL.COM Subject: Re: News from SOLUTIONS, Inc. Just FYI, some of you are responding to this and actually responding to Index-L instead. You may want to respond again. Leslie LLF Editorial Services ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 22 Feb 1997 15:04:05 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Richard Evans Subject: The best laid plans... I take great pains to safeguard my PC hardware and software. I have an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and line filters. I have a tape backup unit and take daily backups. Yesterday the power supply went bad in the CPU. Since this was beyond the UPS, the UPS couldn't pick it up and the unit went dead. I dug out my Thinkpad and hooked it to the big monitor and keyboard, but I haven't used the Thinkpad in months and the software was considerably down-level from the desktop. I set about installing the most recent versions of my critical software and discovered that the Thinkpad had somehow "forgotten" that it had a CD-ROM attached via PC-MCIA card. I tried to reinstall the CD-ROM drivers but my Windows 95 source files are on a CD-ROM. Also, my ISP had "forgotten" where the modem was and it took a call to tech support to straighten that out. So, here I am with Internet access so I can at least check my mail, but my address book, URLs, and newsgroup subscriptions are all on the disabled desktop. I have everything on a backup tape, but I have no way to read the tape and no tape drive on the Thinkpad. The desktop is covered under warranty and should be back by Tuesday. In the meantime, I'm thankful that it didn't crash while I was racing a deadline, but I can't think of any feasible way to protect against such occurrences in the future. The only option seems to be keeping both desktop and laptop up all the time and periodically transferring critical files to the laptop. Dick Evans ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 10:58:53 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Gateway Organization: Tunanet: A Free Service Subject: NDN: Instructions Please Sorry. Your message could not be delivered to:=20 =20 lmoriber,tunanet (The name was not found at the remote site. Check that=20 the name has been entered correctly.)=20 ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 11:02:55 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Paul Corrington Subject: Re: News from SOLUTIONS, Inc. Pleae forward your "free" card to me. Thanks, Paul Corrington Corrington & Associates 2647 East Kenwood Mesa, Arizona 85213 voice: (602) 827-8904 e-mail: Paul Corri@aol.com ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 11:27:41 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Cynthia Bertelsen Subject: Re: News from SOLUTIONS, Inc. Folks: If you are going to reply to this message from SOLUTIONS, you need to send your reply to the email address of the person who sent the message, not to the list. Thanks. ***************************************** Cynthia D. Bertelsen--Indexer cbertel@usit.net http://www.vt.edu:10021/B/bertel/ndx.html ***************************************** ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 11:32:59 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: WordenDex@AOL.COM Subject: Re: reading "nonindexable" pages Lynn, Your situation is one that could be avoided if invoices were based on more than one factor involved in producing an index. Rather than billing just for indexable pages, I invoice the average amount derived from five factors: number of pages, number of hours, numbers of entries, number of locators, and client expectation. Before accepting a job, I explain the way I prefer to bill so the client is not totally confused by the final invoice. I understand this method is more complicated than most indexers would like to deal with, but it addresses actual work done in a way fair to both indexer and client. You are paid for the work done, and the clients pays for what is actually received. Diane Worden Kalamazoo, Mich. ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 12:53:33 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "John P. MacDonald" Subject: USDA Course Hello all. I just recently joined the list and have noticed a number of references to the USDA Course. How do I obtain information regarding this course? Thanks! Paul MacDonald ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 12:14:26 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "L. Mark Bruffey" Subject: Re: The best laid plans... Hi! You should be able to http in to microsoft and/or the cd mfg and download the latest drivers right to your hd. Re-install from there. Mark Bruffey At 03:04 PM 2/22/97 -0500, you wrote: >I take great pains to safeguard my PC hardware and software. I have an > L. Mark Bruffey CBTS Library 1380 S Valley Forge Rd. Lansdale PA 19446 ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 17:17:47 GMT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Richard Wright-ARCHIVES Subject: Re: The best laid plans... Commiserations to Dick Evans re the computer packing up. In my experience the two major sources of crashes are the power supply and the hard disc. People who feel up to it (its only a few screws in most PCs) could buy a spare power supply for about $40. BUT: 1) any such failure could (in rare cases) cause other damage, so replacing the power supply might not get you back on the air; 2) if you're under warranty, you will not be allowed to replace a power supply yourself. Discs these days are cheap and easily swapped. Larger computers have arrays of discs with built-in redundancy. I once for several months 'mirrored' my own disc by doing daily backups from the main disc to a cheaper, smaller unit which just had the 'essentials'. I'm not aware of PC-level multi-disc mirroring software; it may be available. BUT: you would have to reconfigure the PC to 'boot' from the secondary hard disc instead of the (presumably failed) main disc. This could be just by booting from an appropriate floppy disc and then manually accessing the required hard drive. Unfortunately just how one does this varies according to operating systems. Like manual vs automatic transmissions, there is more control with the simpler version, which is often handy in emergencies. So disc drives in pre-Windows PCs (using DOS) could be easily swapped. The hardware approach is to swap data cables, so the computer doesn't 'know' that a disc has been replaced. My high-water mark was 5 PCs at home at one time, and I used a portable as the emergency replacement of the desktop. ((Some people stockpile old and derilect cars in their yard; I was stockpiling PCs; at least the neighbours didn't complain)). Having typed this, I see that I haven't given a lot of help. A crash is still an awkward situation at best. In my own experience the WORST disaster was computer theft (3 of the 5 PCs stolen; also handheld 'personal assistant' stolen; all the mutual backups between machines therefore lost as well). Fortunately I'd just stopped working from home and gone back to office work, so all the lost material was historical, and the valuable stuff was on discettes ((somewhere)). Richard Wright BBC Information & Archives Email: richard.wright@bbc.co.uk ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 09:16:21 -0800 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Sonsie Subject: Re: News from SOLUTIONS, Inc. At 07:21 PM 2/21/97 -0500, LLFEdServ@AOL.COM wrote: >Just FYI, some of you are responding to this and actually responding to >Index-L instead. You may want to respond again. Thanks for pointing this out, Leslie. Also, Miss Pruneface here would like to request that when you answer a post (any post) and quote from it, that you just use the minimum number of lines that indicates what you're responding to. I've gotten at least a half-dozen reprints of the ENTIRE post from "Solutions", appended to a four-line address. =Sonsie= ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 09:16:23 -0800 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Sonsie Subject: Re: reading "nonindexable" pages At 11:32 AM 2/24/97 -0500, WordenDex@AOL.COM wrote: >Your situation is one that could be avoided if invoices were based on more >than one factor involved in producing an index. Rather than billing just >for indexable pages, I invoice the average amount derived from five factors: number of pages, number of hours, numbers of entries, number of locators, and client expectation. I think this is a great idea! But I normally don't have an opportunity to implement something like this. I work quite a bit for a press that issues me a P.O. based on a quote I give them that involves two figures only: per-page rate and total number of book pages. The final figure is usually a "not to exceed" amount based on how many pages the book (which is generally still in manuscript form) is estimated to have in its final incarnation. And smaller companies seem to want a final figure (based on whatever I decide it's based on)...that will not change, no matter what. And it should be cheap! I can see, though, that creating a page rate that takes all this into account might be a useful tool. The problem would be that if you need to come up with a bid at the beginning of the project, you're not going to know how all the factors work out. BTW, what is included in your "client expectation" category? =Sonsie= ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 12:27:26 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Pauline Sholtys Subject: Clogging up mailboxes I really wish people wouldn't use this mailing list to respond individually to offers when the offer gives an e-mail address. I really don't care who is accepting Solutions, Inc.'s offer for a writer reference card, for example, or who is going to attend certain meetings, and so on. Sometimes out of 10 pieces of mail, five or six of them are messages that weren't really meant for everybody to read. A response to a question about indexing, yes--it might be something a lot of us could learn from or add to--but IMHO everyone should stop and think for a moment before addressing their e-mail and ask themselves, "Does the whole list really need to see this?" Thanks! Pauline Sholtys ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 13:16:45 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Richard Evans Subject: Re: The best laid plans... At 05:17 PM 2/24/97 GMT, you wrote: > >Having typed this, I see that I haven't given a lot of help. That's OK. I'm not so much asking for help as I am warning others of how Murphy's Law can kick in when you think you've got things covered. The overriding question here is: "How does one keep a backup machine in synch with the main machine such that one can easily swap them if need be?" In addition to the problems I related earlier, I found that even though I have my favorite editor on the backup machine, I do not have my profile for it, so it looks and acts completely different from tthe version on the desktop machine. Obviously, one needs to have not only one's favorite applications, but all configuration files and profiles as well. This implies periodically gathering all such files and copying them to the backup. How does one identify all critical files? Darned if I know. One solution would be to use the Win95 Briefcase feature and setup a briefcase on a Zip disk then periodically drop all critical files into the briefcase. This still leaves unanswered the question of how to ensure that you have included all necessary files, but whatever was in the briefcase would be available to the backup machine (assuming you can get the backup machine to recognize the Zip drive). The downside is that this requires a second, manual backup effort in addition to the automatic tape backup already in use. And so it goes. Dick ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 13:13:51 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Pmauer@AOL.COM Subject: Re: Office lighting? In a message dated 97-02-24 11:43:22 EST, you write: > Since I am starting with nothing, what lamps or lighting > apparatus would you advise? Ann, I decided to buy a low profile Halogen light fixture that installs under the bookshelves and over my work area. I settled on Halogen because unlike florescent lighting, it does not buzz and interfere with the telephone reception. There has been concern about the heat that Halogen lights emit, but this says on it, "This cabinet light was tested by UL and is approved for mounting on wood surfaces." It's 21" long, and cost $49.00. Hope this helps. Peg Mauer ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 13:37:47 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: PilarW@AOL.COM Subject: Re: Office lighting?/what else you do In a message dated 97-02-24 11:43:21 EST, AParrsh@AOL.COM (Ann Parrish) writes: << Since I am starting with nothing, what lamps or lighting apparatus would you advise? I made a terrible choice for a desk lamp for my college office a few years back; I do not trust my judgment. What has worked for you? >> Excellent question, Ann! --I will be curious to hear what others say, too. My office is in our basement, and has *no* windows. The main source of light is a standing halogen lamp. It is excellent, and I highly recommend halogen lighting. There is no glare, for one thing, and it is provide very 'natural' light. In addition, I have a ceiling fan with a lamp, and a desk lamp for focused lighting. Good luck! And on the 'what else you do' thread: My husband and I have 2 small kids (age 6 and 4), so when not indexing I'm spending time with my family and parenting. [I don't work nights, for example.] We also have a sailboat, and try to get on the water as much as possible. In addition, we read read read (silently and aloud!), and we like to travel. Happy indexing, L. Pilar Wyman Wyman Indexing Annapolis, MD Tel/Fax: 410-263-7537 Email: PilarW@aol.com "What is indexing?" -----> http://www.well.com/user/asi/indfaq.htm "An index a day keeps the phone calls away ..., " Jan Wright, Wright Information Indexing Services ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 13:43:32 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: JPerlman@AOL.COM Subject: Re: Office lighting? Ann, I love halogen lighting. Nice and bright, and a lot of bang for the buck. I use as much of it as possible in any given setting. For my office, I find a good light on/over the desk is mandatory, as well as good light near/at the computer, so that you can see what you're doing when you do computer input. I'm assuming that the two work areas are separate, as mine are. If they're one and the same, even better. Also, when positioning the lamp at your desk, be certain that it's positioned so that your hand isn't casting a shadow over what you're doing due to the positioning of the light -- in other words, it differs depending whether you are left- or right-handed. In other words, being left-handed, I always put my desk light on the right of the desk, so that it illuminates the work area and doesn't create a shadow of my hand. Sometimes that consideration may affect the positioning of furniture as well as positioning of things on the desk. I also like to have a source of "general" light for the room, so that when I'm doing revisions, reading email -- ie, computer work that is not input and doesn't require bright/good lighting, I have a softer light on in the room that is easy on the eyes and not glary. Be careful about placement of the computer and sunlight. It isn't good to have any part of the computer in the sun, and it's also necessary to be aware of glare at the screen while working. You need to check this out both AM and PM, as the lighting and angle of sunlight change from one time to the next. I hope these thoughts help. Janet Perlman Southwest Indexing ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 13:53:49 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "Nancy A. Guenther" Subject: Re: What else do we do? >Like many others, I wasn't going to join this thread, but the pleasant >feeling it is generating seems to be infectious, I'll quote Elinor's statement as a beginning and add that I am constantly amazed at how much people share in this group. I often find I barely have time to read the messages let alone form a worthwhile response. Thanks for all your sharing. I'm a full-time self-employed indexer, and single parent of 3 children (son is 15; daughters 13 & 5) That means 3 different schools so lots of running. My son has been fighting a chronic disease which some of the doctor's think is Lyme; some think it is an aftereffect of Lyme (he definitely had meningitis from Lyme almost 4 years ago) and some think it is something else but no one knows what the something else is. In other words we have spent significant time in dr's offices, hospital labs, etc. Since he has only been able to spend a few days in school since Thanksgiving, I need to work with school counselors & teachers to determine what is reasonable school work for him to attempt. I manage by placing my church and its activities as a high priority on my time. Teaching an adult church school class and a mid-week Bible study help keep me focused and provide support. Soon I begin the process of planning for our summer Vacation Bible school program which I have coordinated since 1989. I participated in the Walk to Emmaus almost 2 years ago and have remained involved in that Christian group. In my spare time I surf & add links to my Web page, which incidently placed third (tied with one other) in the Australian SI contest for Web indexes. If my hands can tolerate it when I finish at the computer, I enjoy needlecrafts (knitting, sewing, cross-stitch). I'm still trying to figure out how to juggle everything so I can get to Winston-Salem. Nancy Guenther nanguent@chesco.com http://www.chesco.com/~nanguent ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 13:43:55 -0500 Reply-To: maro@riofrancos.com Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Maro Riofrancos Organization: Riofrancos & Co. Indexes Subject: Re: Office lighting? Could you tell us the brand and/or dealer for this lamp? > I decided to buy a low profile Halogen light fixture that installs under the > bookshelves and over my work area. I settled on Halogen because unlike > florescent lighting, it does not buzz and interfere with the telephone > reception. There has been concern about the heat that Halogen lights emit, > but this says on it, "This cabinet light was tested by UL and is approved for > mounting on wood surfaces." It's 21" long, and cost $49.00. Hope this helps. > > Peg Mauer ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 14:26:59 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "Seth A. Maislin" Subject: Office lighting? In-Reply-To: PilarW@aol.com "Re: Office lighting?/what else you do" (Feb 24, 1:37pm) I avoid direct lighting as much as possible, and prefer lighting that reflects off other objects, such as the standing lamps everyone is writing about (light reflecting from the ceiling). If you want a desk lamp, find one you can aim at the wall. If your walls or ceilings aren't white and you get a poor reflection, then try to use the lightbulbs with clouded glass instead of clear glass. (In other words, use bulbs you can't see into.) Direct lighting tends to illuminate irregularly, creating distinct shadows (a terrible thing for my lefthanded friends) and worsening computer monitor glare. Also, if you are trying to light up the entire office, you need more lights if all your lights are directed. Another alternative for low-sunlight areas or rooms with dark walls is to install mirrors. Mirrors also upgrade those medieval dungeons into just minimum-security prisons. :-) - Seth -- Seth A. Maislin (seth@ora.com) O'Reilly & Associates Focus Publishing Services 90 Sherman Street 89 Grove Street Cambridge MA 02140 Watertown MA 02172-2826 (617) 499-7439 phone (617) 924-4428 (617) 661-1116 facsimile smaislin@world.std.com WWW: http://www.ora.com/people/staff/seth ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 14:27:12 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "Seth A. Maislin" Subject: Re: reading "nonindexable" pages In-Reply-To: LLFEdServ@aol.com "Re: reading "nonindexable" pages" (Feb 21, 7:27pm) With programming-type books, I will occasionally find pages and pages of programming code. Since I generally don't index that material, I often don't bother to count them as indexable pages. I think for me, the different between an indexing page and a nonindexing page is the same different as between skimming/reading and glancing. If the page only deserves a glance, then I don't count it. Footnotes are "glance pages," but endnotes are "skim pages." I charge for pages of endnotes. The only exception I can think of is the table of contents. Clearly the table of contents belongs under the "glance page" list, even though I do use the material on that page to develop my system of key words. - Seth -- Seth A. Maislin (seth@ora.com) O'Reilly & Associates Focus Publishing Services 90 Sherman Street 89 Grove Street Cambridge MA 02140 Watertown MA 02172-2826 (617) 499-7439 phone (617) 924-4428 (617) 661-1116 facsimile smaislin@world.std.com WWW: http://www.ora.com/people/staff/seth ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 14:59:07 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: WordenDex@AOL.COM Subject: Re: reading "nonindexable" pages Re "what is included in 'client expectation' category?" Sonsie, Often the client's expectation is cheap, some ridiculously low figure (like Writer's Market infamous $500/index), but often they just haven't a clue. Most of the authors/self-publishers I work with have never had their stuff indexed before. I hope they are intrigued by my pitch of a good index selling more copies of their tomes; certainly they are willing to try having an index prepared. Some are like any consumer who shops for something they think they want and they have a gut feel about how much they'd be willing to pay. I encourage them to estimate what it might be worth to them. Some others immediately see that by stating a very low figure, that figure will drop the average way down. In response I do set some arbitrary amount, e.g., $3/page minimum or $20/hour minimum, so that the client's expectation comes within some reasonable range of provided a fair livelihood. But most all have been willing to see what happens. And some are repeat customers, fully accepting the average billing as "normal." Diane Worden Kalamazoo, Mich. ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 22:41:57 +1100 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Jon and Glenda Subject: Australian conference in Katoomba this year The next AUSSI conference will be held in Katoomba in the Blue Mountains (near Sydney) in September this year. If any of you would like to know more about the area, sight-seeing etc I would be happy to reply to any private e-mails. (But I have no info on the conference itself). Glenda. Jonathan Jermey and Glenda Browne Blue Mountains Desktop 61-047-398 199 http://www.magna.com.au/~jonathan ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 22:39:09 +1100 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Jon and Glenda Subject: kids thanks; and, keeping up to date in many fields Thank you all for many helpful hints on how to combine child care with indexing. I found many of the comments helpful for clarifying my own feelings as well. >From this thread and the one on "What else we do" it is apparent that indexers often combine indexing with a range of other work (from related fields such as editing to computer teaching to totally unrelated fields such as house inspection). I am curious how you manage to keep up-to-date in all these fields, and how you prioritise them (if you do so). For example, to keep up with print and Internet literature on proof-reading, editing and indexing could take hours per week. Do you find that you can function effectively in some fields without much reading? or that years of experience carry you through? or do you spend hours keeping properly up-to-date with everything? I feel that for someone who has had no income for 4 months I have spent a lot of time and money doing what could be considered 'work' if I was employed by someone else. Thanks, Glenda. Jonathan Jermey and Glenda Browne Blue Mountains Desktop 61-047-398 199 http://www.magna.com.au/~jonathan ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 13:37:50 -0600 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "Laura M. Gottlieb" Subject: Lighting 24 February 1997 Here is what lighting is available in my home office: a south-facing window, track lighting overhead with individual lights that can be adjusted for shine in particular places (great for using when I'm reading in my easy chair), an incandescent light on my desk near my computer, and a florescent lamp on another desk which I use only occasionally for non-computer-related tasks. It works well for me. And on the issue of juggling kids and working: I have combined indexing with childrearing ever since my younger was born (he's now 15), and am now beginning to realize (reap?) some of the downsides of being always available and flexible.....It's quite possible for your family to undervalue and underappreciate your work (both your indexing work *and* the work you do for your family: after all, if you can always interrrupt it, it must not be important and neither are you!). It's also possible that kids will postpone developing their own ways of solving problems (because Mom's always there to help out). Although I love my own work space in my comfortable attic, I think one of the problems with having home offices is that one's personal boundaries can just get flattened: because your home is also your worksite, you're never really away from work unless you're out of the house, so it's hard just to relax at home, to be truly available to your kids (as opposed to "Just let me index 5 more pages, and I'll be with you"), to just "veg out," etc. And I think I get more annoyed about general household messiness than I would otherwise because I spend so much time here. Does any of this seem familiar to you all?--Laura Moss Gottlieb, Freelance Indexer ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 12:32:46 -0800 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Pam Rider Subject: Re: Office lighting? Some years ago, I began using a full-spectrum fluorescent task light for computer work. The light of full-spectrum lighting (incandescant or fluorescent) has spoiled me completely. The light is said to mimic that of sunlight. I have converted all my fixtures to full-spectrum. The light is "whiter" than other lighting (and, I think superior) to halogen). Actually, I dislike halogen, finding it too harsh for my taste and comfort. One can purchase fluorescent lights that do not "hum." Pam Rider Trying to walk cheerfully on the Earth prider@powergrid.electriciti.com prider@tsktsk.com ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 16:13:24 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Cynthia Bertelsen Subject: Re: Juggling work with home office & What Else We Do In answer to Laura's comments (see below): You bet! It is REALLY hard to compartmentalize things when those proofs are sitting on the desk and you know you could really get a lot more done if you just sat down and went for it, even though you have already put in a respectable 8 hours and the deadline is not crawling down your neck. Having work at home and never really getting away from it IS the hardest thing about this career choice. I really don't want to close the door on my study, because I do do other things in here, like read and surf the Net (see below again). I am not sure that I feel that my family undervalues my indexing work, but I sure do find household duties a pain, putting off things until I feel like I am living in the movie, "Joe's Apartment!" (I wonder if male indexers have this problem? Guys?) That brings me to the most interesting thread that has has evolved about the other things we do besides indexing. Like Elinor Lindheimer, I was going to let this one pass, but since so many of you have shared your activities and I found all of them interesting, this is me: 1. Workaholic--When I am not actually indexing, I am doing marketing, Web Page fix-ups, email (I also spend too much time on email), Net surfing (especially Amazon.com). I would like to get back into doing literature searches for clients and bibliography compilation (I used to have a very small info. research service). I also write book reviews for a couple of library profession journals/newsletters and am now teaching an indexing class through the local Open University. 2. Cooking fanatic--I have a cookbook collection of over 1,000 cookbooks (most are international/ethnic in scope). Cooking is my way of relaxing and I cook from scratch everyday, except once in a while when I feel like eating a Pizza Hut pizza. I also have a large herb garden, which occupies much of my time in the spring and summer. 3. Walker and hiker--in the Blue Ridge Mountains in southwestern Virginia, where we live. 4. Caretaker of family, consisting of an 18-year old son, a husband, and 2 adopted cats. 5. Voracious reader--Reading and more reading, haunting local bookstores (my current read is The English Patient; one of my other favorites was Snow Falling on Cedars), and reading book review media. 6. Quilter--I used to make quilts and would like to get back into that activity. (When I have more time ;-D) 7. Traveller--especially to France (we lived and worked overseas in Spanish-speaking and Franch-speaking developing countries for 15 years before coming back to the States in 1994 to stay in one place until our son graduated from high school). I would like to hear more about what the rest of you do, so don't be shy! At 01:37 PM 2/24/97 -0600, Laura Gottlieb wrote: >24 February 1997 >because your home is also your worksite, >you're never really away from work unless you're out of the house, so it's >hard just to relax at home, to just "veg >out," etc. And I think I get more annoyed about general household messiness >than I would otherwise because I spend so much time here. Does any of this >seem familiar to you all? ***************************************** Cynthia D. Bertelsen--Indexer cbertel@usit.net http://www.vt.edu:10021/B/bertel/ndx.html ***************************************** ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 16:22:00 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Wildefire@AOL.COM Subject: Re: Office lighting? In a message dated 97-02-24 11:43:22 EST, Ann wrote: > It's greatest limitation now, though, is that it has no lights. > I mean none, except for a northwest-facing double window which catches the > afternoon sun. Since I am starting with nothing, what lamps or lighting > apparatus would you advise? I made a terrible choice for a desk lamp for my > college office a few years back; I do not trust my judgment. What has > worked > for you? > Ann, Aside from indexing only on sunny afternoons, I'd recommend one of those lamps that have a long adjustable arm to clamp onto your computer desk. I shine mine onto my copy stand (also a clamp-on thingie with a very adjustable arm) and am able to angle it so the light shines onto the copy and not on the monitor screen (mostly). I also have a 3-way lamp on the writing desk that I turn on when the rest of the room is dark. Working with just the light of the monitor screen and over your copy would be very hard on your eyes, which would be constantly adjusting to varying light levels whenever you look away from the computer. So, basically, you need two lamps, one for task lighting and another for general room lighting, unless your office is extremely tiny. I consider myself fortunate to also have a ceiling light in my office and a light in the walk-in closet. My only complaint is that my window (which is on the wall behind the monitor) faces east and the southernly declination of the winter sun brings it right into my eyes. (Yes, I had a blind at the window, but it fell down and I made the mistake of hanging lace curtains in its place. So now, I go eat breakfast during the time the sun would be in my eyes. ;-D) Lynn Moncrief TECHindex & Docs Technical and Scientific Indexing ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 16:22:06 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Wildefire@AOL.COM Subject: Re: The best laid plans... In a message dated 97-02-24 12:22:12 EST, Richard wrote: > People who feel up to it (its only a few screws in most PCs) could buy a > spare power supply for about $40. BUT: > 1) any such failure could (in rare cases) cause other damage, so replacing > the power supply might not get you back on the air; > 2) if you're under warranty, you will not be allowed to replace a power > supply yourself. 3) Murphy's Law being what it is, the spare power supply just won't fit exactly right in the space left by the original power supply and you'll be snarling, throwing tools around the room, etc. while you try to shoehorn it in. Been there. (I replaced one to upgrade a system for a former employer who I worked for supposedly as a tech writer, but when something electronic went bad or needed upgrading they yelled "Lynnnnnn".) Lynn Moncrief TECHindex & Docs Technical and Scientific Indexing ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 16:22:08 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Wildefire@AOL.COM Subject: Re: reading "nonindexable" pages In a message dated 97-02-24 11:52:16 EST, Diane wrote: > Rather than billing just for > indexable pages, I invoice the average amount derived from five factors: > number of pages, number of hours, numbers of entries, number of locators, > and > client expectation. Before accepting a job, I explain the way I prefer to > bill so the client is not totally confused by the final invoice. Diane, Wow! Now, do you itemize all of these factors separately on your invoices? In setting an indexable page rate, I try to take all of these factors into consideration, but that page rate is mostly a projection based on having indexed similar types of books. If you do itemize these items separately, do you start at a flat minimum for "turning on the lights", so to speak (though Ann Parrish may have a problem with that since she doesn't have any lamps yet ;-D) and add on from there? Or do you charge a flat fee for the entire project that is based on these factors? Or have I totally misunderstood you? Lynn Moncrief TECHindex & Docs Technical and Scientific Indexing ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 16:22:25 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Wildefire@AOL.COM Subject: Re: reading "nonindexable" pages In a message dated 97-02-24 11:42:08 EST, Leslie wrote: > Have you tried negotiating for more pages? (I'm sure you have.) How 'bout a > higher page rate (just for yourself and your peace of mind) when you know > you'll be working for that publisher? Leslie, I dare not because they (the managers, not my editors) complain about the rate I charge them now (only $3/indexable page) while they pay their other indexers who willingly(?) work for $2.65/indexable page. And one of their editors (with whom I had never worked before) called me once asking me to do a rush job, breathlessly announcing that they'd pay extra for it--i.e., $3/page (not knowing that was already my going rate with them). ;-D Thanks for the suggestion, though. Lynn Moncrief TECHindex & Docs Technical and Scientific Indexing ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 16:22:50 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Wildefire@AOL.COM Subject: Re: WHERE'S THE MAIL? In a message dated 97-02-24 11:43:30 EST, Sue wrote: > Something strange happened today. No e-mail from the list. Is that possible > or have I somehow been taken off the list. I am fairly new to the list and > enjoy getting the mail. If someone would e-mail me and let me know if they > have gotten e-mail today I would appreciate knowing that so I can alert > index-l. Sue, I was wondering the same thing, too, but sometimes the list is quiet over the weekend. I note that we are both on AOL and have been suspecting that AOL is losing quite a bit of mail because I received hardly any mail this past weekend from anywhere--very unusual. (I've been seeing quoted replies to Index-L posts, but not the original messages in a few cases, for example.) If anyone has written me in the past week or so and hasn't received a reply, please let me know off-list. Lynn Moncrief TECHindex & Docs Technical and Scientific Indexing ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 16:22:19 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Wildefire@AOL.COM Subject: Re: The best laid plans... In a message dated 97-02-24 11:42:09 EST, Dick wrote: > > I take great pains to safeguard my PC hardware and software. I have an > uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and line filters. I have a tape backup > unit and take daily backups. Yesterday the power supply went bad in the > CPU. Since this was beyond the UPS, the UPS couldn't pick it up and the > unit went dead. Aiiish, Dick!!! I can only empathize with you about the operation of Murphy's Law, especially being that the monitor to one of my systems died last week just before hubby and I needed both systems for a big embedding project. We had to go out and buy another monitor (a refurbished 17"), having decided it was beyond economical repair (as we used to say in the Navy)--my dear husband having destroyed what had been merely malfunctioning before he attempted repairs without a single schematic, let alone any test equipment more decent than a dinky Radio Shack multimeter I bought years ago. (After I gave him a few martyred "Oh, I can do all the embedding myself anyway" mutterings, he frantically began calling local computer stores about buying used monitors.) And while, I'm on the subject. Gateway 2000 is (or was) apparently selling repaired monitors as brand-new. Either that or Mag Innovision, the actual mfgr of their CrystalScan monitors, is pulling the wool over Gateway's eyes. When my husband tore apart the failed monitor to our Gateway 2k system (which was out of warranty) to diagnose/repair the problem, we both noticed that, by all of the cold, blob-shaped solder joints (obviously not made in a factory solder wave), bridged foil runs, and sloppy flux residue all over one of the circuit boards, that many components had been replaced before we even bought the system. (And by someone who didn't know how to solder very well at that!). There are also many complaints about Gateway CrystalScan 15" monitors on the Usnet newsgroup sci.electronic-repair(?). So caveat emptor to anyone buying what they think is a totally "new" Gateway 2k system. At least, when we bought the replacement monitor, we "knew" up front it was refurbished! Lynn Moncrief TECHindex & Docs Technical and Scientific Indexing ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 16:46:14 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Mary Beth Kiss Subject: Re: Sue--Missing mail Sorry to post this on the list but since Sue can't see her incoming mail....maybe she can see this a different way. Trying to help.....everyone else can delete. Sue, I'm not sure if this is your mail problem, but I have AOL and I found the same thing last week. I went for 3 days without mail before asking someone on AOL about it. Apparently it is a bug in the new version that is being fixed. I actually did have three days worth of mail in the box but the flag wouldn't pop up. You can get your mail two ways. The fix: send an e-mail to yourself, on the subject line type "set mail flag" (no quotes, no caps), anything can be in the body but I just retype set mail flag. Send it. Your mail flag should pop up. To double-check on other days (this experience has made me nervous, I'm missing other mail) Go to your Mail Center (Type that in at keyword) and click on new mail icon. I have 4 other screen names and over the last two weeks each account has had this problem, of course, never at the same time! I hope this is the simple solution to your problem. Actually I hope you are getting this e-mail. :-) Mary Beth ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 16:04:51 -0800 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Debbie Baier Organization: Writing and Editing Services Subject: Re: Office lighting? Seth A. Maislin wrote: > > I avoid direct lighting as much as possible, and prefer lighting that > reflects off other objects, such as the standing lamps everyone is writing > about (light reflecting from the ceiling). If you want a desk lamp, find one > you can aim at the wall. If your walls or ceilings aren't white and you > get a poor reflection, then try to use the lightbulbs with clouded glass > instead of clear glass. (In other words, use bulbs you can't see into.) > > Direct lighting tends to illuminate irregularly, creating distinct shadows > (a terrible thing for my lefthanded friends) and worsening computer monitor > glare. Also, if you are trying to light up the entire office, you need > more lights if all your lights are directed.snip..... I'm glad the subject of office lighting came up in the group. My office has an overhead light, but unfortunately it's behind me so my shadow gets in the way if the sun isn't out or when I'm working at night (quite often). I have a desk lamp (halogen) and like the light quality, but still found problems with shadows. Guess I'll try the standing lamp. It's reassuring to hear that I'm not the only one bothered by inadequate lighting. Makes me feel not so ancient. Some of my problems with lighting may have to do with aging(!) I'm 43 and that's about the time many people start needing bi-focals - maybe there's an increase in the need for good lighting as we grow older too. I have seen references suggesting that halogen lamps can be a fire hazard (as mentioned in another post) so that still is a bit of a concern. Thanks, Debbie Baier New Leaf Writing and Editing Services write1@earthlink.net Des Moines, IA USA ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 16:15:28 -0800 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Debbie Baier Organization: Writing and Editing Services Subject: Re: Office lighting? Pam Rider wrote: > > Some years ago, I began using a full-spectrum fluorescent task light for > computer work. > > The light of full-spectrum lighting (incandescant or fluorescent) has > spoiled me completely. The light is said to mimic that of sunlight. > > I have converted all my fixtures to full-spectrum. > > The light is "whiter" than other lighting (and, I think superior) to > halogen). Actually, I dislike halogen, finding it too harsh for my taste and > comfort. > > One can purchase fluorescent lights that do not "hum." > Pam Rider > > Trying to walk cheerfully on the Earth > > prider@powergrid.electriciti.com > prider@tsktsk.com Would you mind telling where you got them and how much they cost? I've been looking off and on for full- spectrum lights but many lighting stores I call don't even know what I'm talking about. Have found sources on the Internet for light boxes, but they are very expensive. I guess I never thought to ask if they sold the light sticks/bulbs separately... Debbie Baier New Leaf Writing and Editing Services write1@earthlink.net Des Moines, IA USA ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 26 Feb 1997 23:46:00 -0800 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Lillian Ashworth Subject: mail problem? Hello - Is anybody out there? Is list down? Have received nothing for last several days. Lillian Ashworth ashworth@pullman.com ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 26 Feb 1997 10:11:27 -0600 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group Comments: Warning -- original Sender: tag was maryann@ELMO.REVISOR.LEG.STATE.MN.US From: Maryann Corbett Organization: Revisor of Statutes Subject: Indexing Skills Workshop in Twin Cities AMERICAN SOCIETY OF INDEXERS Twin Cities Chapter =20 SPRING MEETING, April 5, 1997 =20 INDEXING SKILLS WORKSHOP FOR TECHNICAL COMMUNICATORS (and others eager to learn about indexing technical materials) Presented by Lori Lathrop =20 This allday workshop is designed to meet the needs of technical writers who need to index. It would also be useful for novice indexers and those who want to learn about the problems of technical documents. =20 Lori Lathrop is a communications professional with over 16 years' experience as a technical writer, editor, and professional indexer.=20 She delivers indexing workshops for corporate clients and professional organizations throughout North America. Her clients include the American Society for Quality Control (ASQC), Asymetrix Corporation, AT&T, Digital Equipment Corporation, IBM Corporation, Sybase, Texas Instruments, Basic Books, IDG Books Worldwide, International Thompson Computer Publishing, John Wiley & Sons, Online Books, Oryx publishing houses. =20 Lori is past Chair of the Colorado Chapter of the American Society of Indexers (ASI). She is also a member of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Society for Technical Communication (STC) and was co-Chair of that Chapter's 1996 Publications and Arts Competition. Several of Lori's articles have appeared in ASI's KeyWords newsletter and the STC Intercom magazine; her book, _An Indexer's Guide to the Internet_, was published by ASI in 1994. =20 DATE: April 5, 1997 (Saturday) LOCATION: Minnesota Commons room, Student Center, Saint Paul Campus of the University of Minnesota, 217 Buford Avenue, Saint Paul, MN =20 For REGISTRATION forms and information, CONTACT: Maryann Corbett at 612-297-2952 (work) or 612-645-5985 (home) or email her at maryann.corbett@revisor.leg.state.mn.us =20 Maps, parking guides, and lodging info available on request. =20 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. Sign in 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Workshop, part I 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lunch and ASI business meeting 1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Workshop, part II COSTS: $50.00 per regular ASI member, $65.00 per non-member. Student members of ASI and RASTEC may attend for $20.00. =20 Registration includes the all-day workshop, plus morning coffee and sweet roll, box lunch and beverages. =20 =20 --=20 Maryann Corbett Language Specialist Office of the Revisor of Statutes Minnesota Legislature 612-297-2952 =20 =85 ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 26 Feb 1997 10:15:34 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "Elaine R. Firestone" Subject: WARNING: Halogen lamps Hi all. I was reading my digests yesterday and eagerly devoured the info on lighting. When I got home, however, what was in my mailbox but the March 1997 issue of Consumer Reports. What were they reporting on? Well, aside from mattresses and large TVs, they had a short article on the dangers of halogen lamps, especially those made prior to Feb. 5, 1997 when new regs went into effect. Apparently UL really messed up on this one y'all, so make sure everyone who either HAS a halogen lamp or thinking of getting one reads this article. Sorry, I didn't bring it with me, so I don't know what page it appeared on. elaine Elaine R. Firestone elaine@calval.gsfc.nasa.gov elaine@seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 26 Feb 1997 07:11:08 -0800 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Patricia Buchanan Organization: Buchanan Indexing/Editing Subject: Problem editor I realize there has been a long and interesting thread on non-payment of accounts. My situation has a different twist and I would appreciate suggestions for action, if indeed any can be taken. During a rather long dry spell a year and a half ago, I agreed to edit and index a 58-chapter (and 58-author) book. As the general editor was doing it herself, she asked if I would accept royalties rather than a straight fee per hour. I finished the work last AUGUST! Well - there was the recovery time for her (she was very tired); then she said she had not started marketing properly yet; then she said a cheque for $200 (!!) was in the mail. I am to get $5 per book sold. No cheque. Etc., etc. She seems quite honest - perhaps she has sold none! However, I have no way of checking - no accounts dept., no sales dept. - she is doing everything. Would anyone have a brilliant idea what to do next? (Aside from never, never doing this again, that is...) Many thanks in advance. Pat ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 26 Feb 1997 03:35:26 UT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Margaret Ulber Subject: Office lighting and furniture Responding to Ann Parrish's question about lighting: I have two torchiere-style halogen floor lamps, 300W each (only about $15.00 each on sale). I put them on opposite sides of the room. This gives very even, almost shadowless light, and since each has its own dimmer, I can adjust them to whatever my eyes require at the time. My favorite piece of office equipment, however, is the recliner that I use while I work. It keeps my feet up and my legs from aching. (I put my Microsoft "wave" keyboard in my lap.) Meg Ulber M_Ulber@msn.com ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 26 Feb 1997 05:11:16 UT Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Margaret Ulber Subject: Work and personal boundaries In response to Laura's post: Nope. In fact, I feel just the opposite! I never have trouble getting away from my work. My living room sofa is just as perfect for relaxing as it is for serious index editing and my copyediting. And I wish I could move my computer around the house so I wouldn't be stuck in this office The house is usually neater than when I worked full-time outside the house, but only because now I can clean up when I get the urge instead of only when I'm tired after work or desperate to do fun things. I have never liked going out to a *regular* job because doing so compartmentalizes my life, which seems so unnatural at best and intolerable at worst. I LOVE this lifestyle. How many mornings have I talked with a client while still in my bathrobe, or just decided to read a magazine or respond to some sudden minor crisis, and then thought *I will do nearly ANYTHING to make sure I preserve this way of life*? I slide from one task to another as feels appropriate (within, of course, the parameters of deadlines and the basic requirements of civilization). Of course, I don't have kids, and my significant other's schedule is just as fluid as mine. For me, working at home means a freedom and happines I thought I would never find in my work. Meg Ulber M_Ulber@msn.com ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 25 Feb 1997 17:56:26 EST Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Carol L Benson Subject: What I do What do I do in addition to learning how to index? Am really enjoying this thread. 1. Write. Most of what I've written has been published in some form. I'm not prolific, but I am persistent. My first play won second place in a new playwright contest. "Isaac Newton Sucked His Thumb", a comedy, was performed five times as part of the prize. Proceeds benefited two local animal shelters. 2. Study martial arts - Tae Kwon Do 3. Work as part-time front desk clerk in a 21 room hotel near Stowe Vermont. I read, did USDA course indexing lessons, keep up with e-mail, learn the whistles and bells on my new laptop, watch TV - Animal Planet, NYPD, and of course, rent our very nice rooms. 4. Manage an e-mail list for my college class, Mt. Holyoke College 1961. 5. Serve as treasurer of our town Library Board of Trustees 6. Love three cats, one dog, and one companion who has made me a grandmother. Larry and I like to give our four grandchildren experiences rather than toys so we attend cultural events -music, dance, lectures (Alice Walker was in Burlington in Nov.) - go on picnics at swimming holes - and until they had their own computers, "Grammie" gave computer lessons. 7. Give extra attention to senior pet, Isaac Newton, inspiration for my play. In October he was diagnosed as diabetic. He seems to be responding to the once a day insulin shot. He's taken to wrapping himself around my head in the middle of the night and revving up his motor. I wake up and spend however long he wants just communing. 8. Winter in Vermont chores - bring in wood, take out ashes, shove snow off the porch roof. Savor any smidgen of sunlight. Keep lots of lights on. I don't mind the cold unless the nails in the house start popping like a shotgun going off (at minus 30) but I do mind the short days. 9. Recent Reading - Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt; My Sergei; Felicia's Journey Carol Benson Sweeney, Benson, Berry & Benson Morrisville VT ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 25 Feb 1997 17:54:10 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "Ed. Prucha" Subject: Re: NDN: Instructions Please At 10:58 AM 24-02-1997 -0500, you wrote: >Sorry. Your message could not be delivered to:=20 >=20 >lmoriber,tunanet (The name was not found at the remote site. Check that=20 >the name has been entered correctly.)=20 > Does this help ? Ed. Prucha 207-563-2588 phone and fax. E-mail: edprucha@midcoast.com (or) CIS: 73727,2552 ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 25 Feb 1997 13:42:17 -0600 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Carol Roberts Subject: Re: Juggling work with home office In-Reply-To: <199702250500.XAA25593@mixcom.mixcom.com> I can certainly sympathize with what Laura Moss Gottlieb says about the tendency to be undervalued when your work is viewed as always "interruptable." (And I agree about kids being more self-sufficient.) I get that from my kids (ages 4 and 11) and also sometimes from my husband. I have had to become very hardnosed about it. Between 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., I'm "at the office," and I try to allow only the sorts of interruptions I would if I were actually working in an office setting somewhere (i.e., working for someone else). The sign I put on my office door during crunch times says, "It had better be an emergency." Even my 4-yr-old knows what it says, although she can't actually read it. If I take an hour or two off one morning to have coffee with a friend, go birding, take care of a sick kid, or whatever, I make up the time in the evening after the kids are in bed. Unfortunately, I've also had to become unavailable for school stuff (field-trip chaperoning, etc.); I've found that teachers, PTA leaders, and so on, tend to think that parents with home offices aren't busy during the day. I've been asked to volunteer in ways I don't think I would have if I worked in an office outside my home. I almost always politely say no. My typical schedule (which shows some of the juggling I do): 8:30-3:00: work 12:45-2:15 (alternate Thurs.): take Meg to gymnastics 3:00-4:00 or 5:00: cooking, housework, helping with homework, playing with kids 5:00-7:00; 4:00-6:30 (Mon.; Tues.): take Nina to gymnastics (Dad does the other two days) 6:00-9:00 (Wed.): teach indexing 5:00 or 7:00 (depending on gymnastics): dinner 7:00-ish to 9:00: family 9:00 to midnight or 1:00 (as needed): work Ah, but the weekends! Cheers, Carol Roberts, indexer and copy editor | I'm not into working out. My Carol.Roberts@mixcom.com | philosophy: No pain, no pain. Milwaukee, WI | -- Carol Leifer ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 25 Feb 1997 13:09:10 -0600 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Carol Roberts Subject: Re: Office lighting? In-Reply-To: <199702250500.XAA25593@mixcom.mixcom.com> >I decided to buy a low profile Halogen light fixture that installs under the >bookshelves and over my work area. I have a question about Halogen lighting that perhaps others can help me with. I bought one and then read that Halogen lighting gives off full-spectrum light, so sitting under one is something like sitting in sunlight (bad news for everyone, esp. fair-skinned types like me). There was supposed to be some sort of filter available, but I could never find one, so I quit using the lamp (despite the fact that I love the color of light it gives off--great for photography!). My information (or possibly misinformation) is about 4 yrs. old. Does Meg or anyone else have any further info on this? (I kept the lamp in hopes of eventually being able to use it.) Cheers, Carol Roberts, indexer and copy editor | I'm not into working out. My Carol.Roberts@mixcom.com | philosophy: No pain, no pain. Milwaukee, WI | -- Carol Leifer ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 25 Feb 1997 10:53:07 -0600 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group Comments: Warning -- original Sender: tag was maryann@ELMO.REVISOR.LEG.STATE.MN.US From: Maryann Corbett Organization: Revisor of Statutes Subject: ASI logo use Hello out there, other ASI chapter/ national officers? Sorry to bug the list with a question that affects ASI only, but does anyone know what the rules are about use of the ASI logo on chapter mailings and publicity pieces? I'd direct the question to the ASI office, but I know they're just swamped, and I thought I might find out more quickly by directing the question this way. Off-list replies are probably best for this. Thanks for your help. -- Maryann Corbett Language Specialist Office of the Revisor of Statutes Minnesota Legislature 612-297-2952 maryann.corbett@revisor.leg.state.mn.us ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 25 Feb 1997 06:48:23 -0800 Reply-To: tourmi@concentric.net Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: tourmi Subject: unscribe Embarrassingly I've misplaced my how to unsubscribe directions. Could you help? ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 25 Feb 1997 08:48:58 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Joyce Nester Kath, Well, ok, then. As long as you are not starving yourself of the things you need. I am just concerned about your worthless butt. ;-> Thursday looks like the night. Wanna ride with me after work and go somewhere and get a bite of dinner before I take you home? That way we can *finally* get to your birthday treat as well. If that doesn't suit, just say so. jn ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 05:27:44 -0800 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Willa MacAllen Organization: MacAllen's Information Service Subject: Travel to W-S in May Does anyone know about train service to W-S? Is anyone considering driving to W-S from the southern New England area? If so, would there be any interest in forming a carpool and sharing travel expenses? Willa MacAllen MacAllen's Information Services Librarian/Technical Writer Boston macallen@tiac.net ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 25 Feb 1997 01:47:49 -0800 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Victoria Baker Subject: Re: Office lighting? >Since I am starting with nothing, what lamps or lighting >apparatus would you advise? I made a terrible choice for a desk lamp for my >college office a few years back; I do not trust my judgment. What has worked >for you? In addition to natural light (especially since I work a lot at night), I have invested in full-spectrum incandescent bulbs for my desk lamps. These are longlife bulbs which cost about $8.00 a piece. They are worth it, and last for years. The quality of the light is so much better than the yellowish norm. In the near future, when I am working off the grid, I'll use full-spectrum fluorescent bulbs--the ones with magnetic rather than electronic ballasts do not flicker or hum (I hope I have that right). The fluorescents last a very long time and use much less energy than the equivalent incandescents (over the life of the bulb they are cheaper, though cost more initially). These are bulbs which screw into many existing incandescent sockets. Highly recommended, and available through catalogs that offer eco-type products--Seventh Generation and Real Goods are two that I know (both can be found at 800 info in U.S.). Lamps--lately I've settled with two gooseneck lamps that sit on my desktop. I am able to direct the light out of my eyes and off the computer screen, usually directing the shade low over my paperwork so as not to glare in my screen. When I have used the traditional swingarm lamps it was very difficult to avoid screen glare, which is very tiring to the eyes and concentration levels. I move the lamps around according to need; generally one sits close to the front of the desk, and on the other side of my terminal one sits further back on the desk. The one further back on the desk is good to use while I'm working on the terminal only. I also use a lamp for my side table where I keep the reference books I refer to as I work; it is a floor lamp with a solid, adjustable shade that I can set low over my books, again with a full-spectrum bulb. I can also adjust that lamp to yield greater all-over illumination. Regards, Victoria ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 22:18:17 -0800 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Jonathan Sachs Subject: Re: Office lighting? My personal preference is a swing-arm light, so that I can move it around to suit the work I'm doing. The computer screen has relatively little light falling on it, so reflections are minimal. You definitely want to position the computer so that bright light sources (chiefly windows) are neither behind you, where they'll create reflections off the screen, or in front of you, where they'll create glarey backlighting. Jonathan Sachs Sand River Software, Inc. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 25 Feb 1997 00:23:35 -0600 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "Michael K. Smith" Subject: Re: Marketing, record keeping for At 11:19 AM 2/20/97 -0500, you wrote: >1. Do you keep the contact names and addresses in a database? If so , which >software is best? (I use CINDEX, believe it or not, for this). Perhaps it's old-fashioned of me, but I keep a general "work" folder for each publisher I've dealt with, the inside-left cover of which has the names, positions, and phone numbers of every single person I talk to there, from the managing editor on down (with the date, so I'll know how old my info is). >2. Do you keep a record of date of contact, response, etc.? What else do >you keep in the record about the contact? In each of those folders mentioned above, I have a stack of sheets (designed by myself and printed out on the laser, and kept handy by the phone) which have the details on each commission I take on, from the editor's first call to receiving and depositing the check. Stapled to the back of it is a copy of the "PE sheet" (there's always errors that turn up...), a photocopy of *their* invoice, a file copy of *my* invoice (itemized, which theirs usually isn't), and the file copy of the FedEx airbill. >3. Do you recontact publishers even if you have never heard a thing from >them from previous marketing attempts? Is it generally worth it to do this? Depends. I work mostly with university presses, and there are some I would *really* like to crack, so I send them an updated mailer every year or so, in the hopes they'll get tired of seeing it ("Hi, there! It's me again!") and give in. Presses that tell me they only work with local people (or whatever) I check back with every few years anyway, just to see if the policy has changed. And if the editor moves on, I *always* reestablish contact as soon as I hear about it. I don't bother to hit on major commercial (ie, New York) publishers more than once every five years or so, though. >4. If you market often, how often do you send out information packets? (I >send things out about every three months). Would monthly be a better bet? I generally raise my prices by about $.25/indexable page once per year -- in January, on my birthday, actually. : ) That makes a good excuse to send out inquiries during what is generally the slooooooooow Christmas holidays. >5. Do you send CVs/resumes in your marketing packets? Brochures? Nothing that exotic. Just a letter introducing myself, and enclosing a list of recent credits (and not-so-recent, for major projects and contracts). Though I realize I'm not *trying* to drum up as much business all at one time as you full-time folks.... (Not yet.) >6. I know we have discussed cold calls, calls following marketing materials >being sent, etc. I have found that cold calling and calling general is >rarely effective, but it would be nice to find out what percentage of the >time one might hope to get work via this route? Does anyone have anything >to share on this? I don't do cold calls, period. I hang up on salesmen who call *me,* so I wouldn't expect a managing editor to drop what she's doing in the middle of a busy work day to listen to my spiel. I write letters, make appointments to drop by and introduce myself when I'm in town (I travel a lot on vacations...), and talk to colleagues. I've done a few referred projects from other indexers who were booked solid, and those have led to a couple of regular jobs from new editors. Mike Smith Smith Editorial Services Duncanville, TX Michael K. Smith mksmith1@swbell.net Smith Editorial Services CIS: 73177,366 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ It doesn't TAKE all kinds, we just HAVE all kinds... ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 25 Feb 1997 00:23:33 -0600 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "Michael K. Smith" Subject: Re: Special Interest SIG At 04:32 AM 2/19/97 -0800, you wrote: >Is there any interest in forming a SIG on Special Interests? For >example, I know that trail guides get indexed (at least those published >by the AMC do) as well as cook books, how to books, etc. How many on the >list are indexing special topics such as those? Is there enough interest >to form a SIG? It would be interesting to learn what specialties you are >involved with. If you are interested in forming a SIG, let me know by >email. > >Willa MacAllen >MacAllen's Information Services Um... A "Special Interest Special Interest Group," right? : D Actually, does any of us ever index a "general" book? I have special interests in history, archaeology, and genealogy, but I'll index anything in the humanities or social sciences, and I've even wandered into software manuals. Never did a cookbook, though. I've done several technical/scholarly works in phenomenology, which seems like a pretty special interest -- or specialized, anyway. And the Time-Life series on "The Third Reich." And a popular work on the male genitalia. (True!) How much more "specialized" can you get?! Mike Michael K. Smith mksmith1@swbell.net Smith Editorial Services CIS: 73177,366 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ It doesn't TAKE all kinds, we just HAVE all kinds... ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 23:11:47 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: DStaub11@AOL.COM Subject: Re: Lighting Laura wrote: > Although I love my own work space in my comfortable attic, I >think one of the problems with having home offices is that one's personal >boundaries can just get flattened: because your home is also your worksite, >you're never really away from work unless you're out of the house, so it's >hard just to relax at home, to be truly available to your kids (as opposed >to "Just let me index 5 more pages, and I'll be with you"), to just "veg >out," etc. And I think I get more annoyed about general household messiness >than I would otherwise because I spend so much time here. Does any of this >seem familiar to you all?- Yes!!!!! I often find myself dragged away by guilt from ^each thing^ I try to do: in other words, I shouldn't be indexing because Alex needs attention, I shouldn't be playing with Alex because the living room is a mess, I shouldn't be fooling around with the housework, how could I even have thought it when that index is sitting on my desk waiting to be done???! And I have to set clear limits with my family. My partner is very supportive of my work, but it gets hard sometimes because ^her^ work (running a small alternative school) takes so very much time and energy. Assertiveness is always a good thing, with both adults and kids. Do Mi Stauber ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 22:31:13 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Susan Holbert Subject: Lighting I am in the process of moving into a new office, which has many windows. But since I somethimes work at night I still need good light. I bought a halogen floor lamp that reflects off the ceiling and placed it behind the desk. It has dim and bright settings. The bright setting is almost as bright as daylight and since it reflects off the ceiling, it lights the whole room without any glare. It cost less than $30 and looks very elegant. I've been warned not to put it right next to something flammable, like curtains. Regards, Susan Susan Holbert 617-893-0514 Indexing workshops and videos: BASIC INDEXING SKILLS -- April 26, June 28 Web page: http://www.abbington.com/holbert ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 22:22:59 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Ann Parrish Subject: Early retirement from teaching-- Sharon Sweeney writes: "Now I have a new goal, and I'm wondering if other indexers share it. My new goal is to take early retirement from my teaching job and "do my own thing." This is essentially what I have done, though it is not technically "early retirement" in my case since no money was available as I walked away last May from a 35-year career in college English teaching. My first step (a wise one!) was to attend the ASI convention to check out my instinct that indexing would work for me. Then at home, I sent out resumes and networked in all directions for editorial jobs including indexing. My work has been growing slowly since then, but since every new job brings new challenges (new software expectations, keyboard replacements, ink cartridge replacements, etc.) it is just as well it is slow. And trying to fit my office books into my already stuffed home bookcases has caused the sort of household disorder it will take many months to set right! Many, perhaps most of my jobs since changing careers have come by way of former students and colleagues strategically placed in publishing houses, etc. They know what I can do and have enjoyed (evidently) patronising me a bit. I have not changed careers as seamlessly and cleverly as the advice books suggest. The year's safe cushion in the bank account is going way down, and the car is not holding up as well as I had hoped it would. But I am glad for my decision. I have met exciting new people, I have had interesting and varied work, my computer skills have quadrupled. Now if I can face income tax-- My advice is to go for it! Ann Parrish Parrish Professional Indexing (a subdivision of The Ethical Ghost: Editorial Services) ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 19:38:33 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Sarah H Lemaire Subject: Re: WHERE'S THE MAIL? In-Reply-To: <199702242127.AA27423@world.std.com> I didn't receive mail for a long period too, then this morning (Monday) there were about 15-20 messages. ANd I'm on an ISP in Boston. Sarah ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 18:26:19 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: MaryMort@AOL.COM Subject: Re: Office lighting/full spectrum Debbie, A mail-order source in the U.S. and Canada for full-spectrum bulbs, both flourescent and incandescent, is Seventh Generation (1-800-456-1177). Standard disclaimer: I have no affiliation with the company, but have been a satisfied customer for several years. Mary -- * Mary Mortensen * marymort@aol.com * Lawrence, Kansas, USA ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 15:20:40 -0800 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Sonsie Subject: Re: Office lighting? At 04:15 PM 2/24/97 -0800, Debbie Baier wrote: >Would you mind telling where you got them and how much >they cost? I've been looking off and on for full- >spectrum lights but many lighting stores I call don't >even know what I'm talking about. Debbie, any good hardware store that sells fluorescent tubes knows what these are. We have several fluorescent fixtures in the house and have been using full-spectrum lights in them for years. My first experience with these lights was 21 years ago, when my son was born with a mild case of jaundice. His treatment? Being placed under the then-new "grow-lights" (which were really just full-spectrum fluorescents) for 15 minutes twice a day, to help his liver clear the bilirubin out. I have some darling pictures of him, stark naked except for a tiny ski cap to cover his head and eyes, reclining under the lights. =Sonsie= ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 15:20:38 -0800 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Sonsie Subject: Re: reading "nonindexable" pages At 02:59 PM 2/24/97 -0500, WordenDex@AOL.COM wrote: >Re "what is included in 'client expectation' category?" Thanks for your comments, Diane. I had thought maybe it was something more esoteric...like, the client expects you to return the index on pink paper with 2-inch margins all around. Although I've done my share of "first-time" indexes for individual authors or small publishers who haven't any experience with professionals, I really would rather not work this way if I can help it. As you point out, the money expectation is frequently ridiculously low and the demands overly high. I still do a few of these projects, but I consider them to be almost a charitable contribution. I only work with folks I feel are "worthy causes" or books I particularly like and that otherwise would be without the critical sales and readership tool--the index. =Sonsie= ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 17:13:32 -0600 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "Alison M. (Phillips) Kovac" Subject: indexing questions Hello to Whoever Is at the Other End of this Address: Another indexer I spoke to some time ago recommended that I get online and ask for pointers concerning a project I am working on. I am finally equipped to follow her advice and am anxious to establish contact with other indexers. My name is Alison Kovac. I began indexing part time a couple of years ago when my major professor, editor of a scholarly journal called Agricultural History, asked me to take on a project for him. Since then I have been compiling a comprehensive index for the journal which dates back to about 1927. I also create indexes for new volumes as they come out. I would appreciate any tips, hints, or cautionary tales indexers who do this kind of work have to offer. When I began this project I was working on a master's degree in history. I have since completed my degree and am eager to pursue more indexing projects. I am interested in back-of-the-book indexing as well as indexing for periodicals. I am also interested in subjects other than history. (I have a bachelor's degree in English.) My research suggests that indexers may earn anywhere from $10 to $50 dollars an hour or from $1.65 to $6.00 per page. I believe I would need to earn about $13 an hour or $3 a page to live. Are these reasonable rates for an indexer with my experience? Is it more common to charge by the page or by the hour? Thank you for your assistance. Sincerely, Alison Kovac ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 14:46:26 -0800 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Pam Rider Subject: Re: Lighting, full spectrum The fluorescent full-spectrum task light is by Ott (Florida company: there are two Ott operations). I paid about $50 3 or 4 years ago. I ordered (I cannot find address since moving) a fluorescent tube that fits an incandescent fixture (for room lighting) from the Florida company. It was $30. I get full-spectrum incandescent bulbs at my organic produce market, but I have seen them at lighting stores. They run $6-$9. Real Goods http://www.realgoods.com/ has a great catalog that you can order at the website. A variety of full-spectrum lights (including thoses HIGH-priced boxes) can be ordered. Pam Rider Trying to walk cheerfully on the Earth prider@powergrid.electriciti.com prider@tsktsk.com ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 17:18:51 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Susan Holbert Subject: Re: reading "nonindexable" pages When I bid a project where the page count is known, I consider the page rate to be the method of achieving a project rate, not as an end in itself. For example, I might say to the client, the fee is $3.75/page including all the exercises, which we have agreed will not be included in the index. Thus, the total project will come to x. Or I might mix the two methods, for example, by including "non-indexable" pages in the body of the text, but making it clear to the client that I will not even look at the appendixes and they will not be included in the page count. Any page I have to look at is an "indexable" page as far as I'm concerned. I think this makes sense. My page rate does not just represent the time I spend indexing each page. It also covers the time I spend talking with the client on the phone, dealing with special problems, faxing, mailing, and eventually all my overhead expenses. Regards, Susan Susan Holbert 617-893-0514 Indexing workshops and videos: BASIC INDEXING SKILLS -- April 26, June 28 Web page: http://www.abbington.com/holbert ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 07:04:28 -0800 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Pam Rider Subject: Re: Office lighting? Carol asks about the danger of Halogen lighting as full-spectrum. It wouldn't be the first time that I missed some information, but I had not heard this claim for Halogens. Anyway. The danger of sunlight is not from the spectrum, but from UV radiation. It's my understanding that, with the exception of "sun" lamps, lighting fixtures do not project UV radiation. Some fluorescent lights "radiate," but it's not the UV-type. I am very fair (ancestors from Sweden, Denmark, and Germany) and have no problem at all from the incandescent full-spectrum lights I now use. I get iritis, which is a photosensitive autoimmune eye condition, and the full-spectrum lights IN NO WAY represent the pain (and I mean *pain*) of sunlight. My ophthalmologist confirmed that full-spectrum electric lighting does not radiate as harmfully as sunlight. Best, Pam Rider Trying to walk cheerfully on the Earth prider@powergrid.electriciti.com prider@tsktsk.com ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 10:00:43 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Richard Evans Subject: Re: Travel to W-S in May At 05:27 AM 2/24/97 -0800, you wrote: >Does anyone know about train service to W-S? I don't know about train service, but it has come to my attention that some folks think it is a 45 minute drive from Raleigh/Durham airport to W-S. RDU to W-S is about 85 miles and the ride takes about an hour and a half. It is all interstate, but the stretch that runs through Greensboro is one of the most congested in the country. If you hit it at rush hour, it could take even longer. If you are looking for a 45-minute drive, better look for connections into Greensboro. Dick ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 10:28:54 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Sanindex@AOL.COM Subject: Re: Travel to W-S in May I am flying into Charlotte and driving to Winston-Salem, in part because of the fact that my mother lives outside of Charlotte and I will be taking her to her sister's for a visit. But you could also drive via the interstate to Winston. It has been a long time since I made the drive and I am not sure about congestion. The roads are good though. But I just got a $259 fare on United from Chicago to Charlotte. A week ago, it was $459. So keep checking your airfares--they do change. Sandi Schroeder ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 10:36:53 -0600 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "Michael K. Smith" Subject: Re: Office lighting? At 05:02 PM 2/22/97 -0500, you wrote: >I am finally setting up a real home office separate from my bedroom and my >dining room. Since I have spent money cautiously, it is far from ideal in >furnishings, though I have saved the list's ergonomic advice in a file for >more prosperous times. > >It's greatest limitation now, though, is that it has no lights. >I mean none, except for a northwest-facing double window which catches the >afternoon sun. Since I am starting with nothing, what lamps or lighting >apparatus would you advise? I made a terrible choice for a desk lamp for my >college office a few years back; I do not trust my judgment. What has worked >for you? > >With checkbook in hand, > >Ann Parrish >Parrish Professional Indexing Even with the ceiling light, I took some care in lighting the spare bedroom that serves me as an office -- I spend an awful lot of time in there, much more than in the living room, and my eyes get tired after awhile! I have a sort-of-antique floor lamp with a large, flat, frosted dish-shaped glass shade. It points up -- is this what they call a "torchiere"? Anyway, it makes for completely *indirect* lighting and that's what's important: No glare, no shadows, no reflections on my monitor screen. I don't want the area too *brightly* lit, either, since the monitor itself produces quite a lot of ilumination and it can get warm in there. Years ago, I tried a desk lamp that was almost as powerful as a tensor light, but it was far too *much* light and glare off the white proof pages after 6-8 hours of reading and typing. If I could afford it, I would put hidden lighting all around the tops of the walls.... Mike Michael K. Smith mksmith1@swbell.net Smith Editorial Services CIS: 73177,366 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ It doesn't TAKE all kinds, we just HAVE all kinds... ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 11:29:26 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Jean Mann Subject: Re: Juggling work with home office I agree with Carol Roberts about people not taking your work seriously because you work at home, but on the other hand they are very envious of your freedom. I love that freedom to choose my own schedule, to do what I want when I want, within the confines of various deadlines and other obligations. I have been working at home for over 15 years, and would hate to go back into an office where someone else determined my schedule. I started when my children were very young (1 and 5) and at that time found it worked best for me to concentrate on work that could be interrupted frequently. Consequently, I mostly proofread. As my children got older and were off to school, I moved into copyediting, which required more concentrated thought. Then I discovered indexing and found it was what I really liked doing, and now almost all my work is indexing. I have been active as a volunteer in my children's schools over the years. I don't let myself get obligated for more than I want to do, but I feel very fortunate to have been able to be at every daytime school play when they were little, and I've rarely missed seeing my daughter's participation in high school track meets and soccer games. I frankly think it makes for a very different relationship between parents and children, when you can be there for them (and for you). I used to think it wouldn't be necessary to be there when children got to be teenagers, but after having raised two almost through those years (my youngest is now 18), I think that just your presence at home is a deterrent to teenagers getting into all sorts of negative activities. Just don't expect teenagers to appreciate your being around, at least not at the time. But with an adult (you) in another room of the house working, they and their friends are somewhat restricted in what they can experiment with. I frequently do a lot of work on weekends, which is something a lot of people don't realize when they see me at a school event during the week. It's my choice. I like going places (shopping, hiking, etc.) on weekdays, for places are much less crowded. I stay home on the weekend and let all those people who work 5 days a week crowd the malls, fill the parking lots at the beach, or whatever. For me, indexing has been a great job. I love the fact that it is intellectually demanding and I continue to learn and be exposed to new ideas all the time. Yet, because I can do it at home, I have a lot of flexibility and have been able to combine it with raising a family. Jean Mann ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 08:45:52 -0800 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Pam Rider Subject: office lighting My apologies! I posted the stuffy information about radiation and full-spectrum lighting before checking with an expert--a lensmaker friend. The radiation in heat lamps is infrared (IR), not ultraviolet (UV). But the point is that full-spectrum lighting is full-color (visible) spectrum and not full-radiation spectrum (some of which cannot be seen by human eye), which creates problems for photosensitive folks. I checked this out, because of my inclination that the ability to be wrong is greatly enhanced by one's righteousness. Pam Rider Trying to walk cheerfully on the Earth prider@powergrid.electriciti.com prider@tsktsk.com ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 09:12:55 -0800 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Elinor Lindheimer Subject: Re: Problem editor Pat Buchanan wrote: >During a rather long dry spell a year and a half ago, I agreed to edit >and index a 58-chapter (and 58-author) book. As the general editor was >doing it herself, she asked if I would accept royalties rather than a >straight fee per hour. I finished the work last AUGUST! Well - there >was the recovery time for her (she was very tired); then she said she >had not started marketing properly yet; then she said a cheque for $200 >(!!) was in the mail. I am to get $5 per book sold. No cheque. Etc., etc. > Is this a "marketable" book? When I did an index for a self-published book on edible landscaping, I suggested to the author that he pay me partly in books, as he had grossly underestimated his costs. I sold some of the books at 40% of their retail price to a local bookstore, and gave others away as gifts. (Then a year or more later, the author sent me a check for the full amount I had billed--a lovely surprise.) You might try this route if the book is something you think you can sell or give as a gift. Ah, the perils of these nontraditional jobs! Elinor Lindheimer elinorl@mcn.org ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 12:18:41 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Wildefire@AOL.COM Subject: Re: WARNING: Halogen lamps In a message dated 97-02-27 09:35:40 EST, Elaine wrote: > Well, > aside from mattresses and large TVs, they had a short article on the > dangers of halogen lamps, especially those made prior to Feb. 5, 1997 when > new regs went into effect. Apparently UL really messed up on this one > y'all, so make sure everyone who either HAS a halogen lamp or thinking of > getting one reads this article. Elaine, That's not surprising, though very interesting. I just saw a thing on the Discovery Channel the other night about a new oven that will cook your food as fast as a microwave and brown it nicely because it also emits in the infrared part of the spectrum. So, guess what it's based on? Gigunda wattage halogen lamps. ;-D (The light it puts out while cooking is awesome. Sunglasses required.) (In case anyone wants to get their hands on this puppy as badly as I do, it costs about $4000. So, most of us will be waiting for the price to come down.) Lynn Moncrief TECHindex & Docs Technical and Scientific Indexing ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 12:18:46 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Wildefire@AOL.COM Subject: Re: Work and personal boundaries In a message dated 97-02-27 09:30:51 EST, Margaret write: > How many mornings have I talked with a client > while still in my bathrobe, Or wearing nothing but a smile because the phone rang right after stepping out of the shower. (Does one sound just as professional, I wonder, when talking to clients while suppressing an inward giggle of "if only they could see me now"? They better come up with a "video off" switch whenever the world goes to videophone technology if they want to sell to home business owners. ;-D) >or just decided to read a magazine or respond to > some sudden minor crisis, and then thought *I will do nearly ANYTHING to > make > sure I preserve this way of life*? Yessssss! I can't imagine going back to an existence where I can't just jump up from the computer whenever I want to and go play my keyboard or go outdoors and agonize over the fact that the roses started blooming again in January (for crying out loud) which was when I intended to cut them back. Though I live with three other adults (and at least two of them manage somehow to be home all day almost every day with me), and adults can be just as disruptive as kids, I still manage to produce far more than I ever could in an office working for an employer. Maybe happiness is the ultimate key to productivity. Lynn Moncrief TECHindex & Docs Technical and Scientific Indexing ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 12:18:44 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Wildefire@AOL.COM Subject: Re: reading "nonindexable" pages In a message dated 97-02-27 09:34:01 EST, Susan wrote: > Any page I have to look at > is an "indexable" page as far as I'm concerned. My sentiments entirely, Susan! This is why I become so annoyed when I had to read and think about pages that I cannot charge for to understand what's on the pages that I can charge for (the annoyance being in not being able to charge for them, not in having to read them). Of course, the alternative is to produce a lesser quality index and ignore those pages entirely. But I find that terribly hard to do, believing as I do that when I do something I should do it right or not at all. OTOH, does the client deserve an index of that quality when they won't pay me to produce that kind of quality? But, on yet a third hand (;-D), what about the poor readers caught in the middle? (Obviously, I'm very torn about these kinds of issues.) > > I think this makes sense. My page rate does not just represent the time I > spend indexing each page. It also covers the time I spend talking with the > client on the phone, dealing with special problems, faxing, mailing, and > eventually all my overhead expenses. Those are the factors that I include in my own rates, too. It also supports my opinion that there should be an absolute minimum page rate that an indexer will charge, regardless of the type of book (except for the "charitable" books Sonsie mentioned). This sort of ties in with what someone said in another thread about preferring to do larger books because of irreducible costs associated with each project regardless of size. Lynn Moncrief TECHindex & Docs Technical and Scientific Indexing ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 13:19:42 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "Elaine R. Firestone" Subject: HELP WANTED: Indexer Hi all! This came in from another group I subscribe to. Send all replies to Terri Mauro at the e-mail address below. elaine >Subject: HELP WANTED: Indexer > >Yikes! We have a 300-page cookbook that's ready to be indexed, and the >indexer we usually use is suddenly unreachable (seems some idiot, ur, that >is, me, forgot to get her onboard for this project, and she's probably off >somewhere vacationing, blissfully unaware that we're in a crisis situation). >Anyway, here it is time to turn the manuscript over to the indexer, and WE >DON'T HAVE ONE! > >If anyone out there is or knows of someone who: > * has done cookbook indexes before > * can deliver an index to our specifications on a computer file > that we can flow into our Mac/Quark document > * has nothing much to do in the next two weeks >please send a summary of your experience, abilities, and payment expectations >to me at TEMauro@AOL.com. I'd love to be able give someone in our little CEL >family some work. (And if our indexer comes back from Tahiti or wherever she >is before we decide on someone else, I'll keep your name on file for future >needs; we have a bunch o' books to do this year, and I'm not sure one indexer >is going to want to handle them all.) > >TIA for any help you can give me. > >--Terri Mauro >TEMauro@AOL.com >who was down with a sinus infection for a few days and came back online to >find her mailbox full of 500 messages about f***. Sure cleared *my* sinuses. > Elaine R. Firestone elaine@calval.gsfc.nasa.gov elaine@seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 13:35:03 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "Julia B. Marshall" Subject: Roommate for Winston-Salem conference In-Reply-To: <199702271718.MAA27700@cap1.CapAccess.org> Dear folks I'm planning on going to the ASI conference in May. I'd like to find a female roommate to share a room at the Inn. I'll be staying Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights. If you're interested reply to me directly *not* to the list. Thanks in advance. Regards Julia Marshall juliam@capaccess.org ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 13:50:33 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Cynthia Bertelsen Subject: Re: HELP WANTED: Indexer Hi, Your message was just posted by someone named Elaine to the Indexer's Listserv. I have indexed some cookbooks and have written one, in fact. I am also a nutritionist (M.S. degree) and a cookbook collector, having 1,000 and counting. In addition, I am also a trained librarian (MLS) and have indexed a wide variety of subjects. Both my experience as an indexer and my constant use of cookbook indexes makes me know EXACTLY what is needed in a cookbook index. I also studied at the Cordon Bleu for a month in Paris several years ago. You may look at my credentials on my Web page: http://www.vt.edu:10021/B/bertel/ndx.html I can also quickly send you sample index and a list of references if you need references right away. My per page rate is usually $3.00 a page, but that is negotiable. I look forward to hearing from you soon. >>Subject: HELP WANTED: Indexer >> >>Yikes! We have a 300-page cookbook that's ready to be indexed, and the >>indexer we usually use is suddenly unreachable (seems some idiot, ur, that >>is, me, forgot to get her onboard for this project, and she's probably off >>somewhere vacationing, blissfully unaware that we're in a crisis situation). >>Anyway, here it is time to turn the manuscript over to the indexer, and WE >>DON'T HAVE ONE! >> >>If anyone out there is or knows of someone who: >> * has done cookbook indexes before >> * can deliver an index to our specifications on a computer file >> that we can flow into our Mac/Quark document >> * has nothing much to do in the next two weeks >>please send a summary of your experience, abilities, and payment expectations >>to me at TEMauro@AOL.com. I'd love to be able give someone in our little CEL >>family some work. (And if our indexer comes back from Tahiti or wherever she >>is before we decide on someone else, I'll keep your name on file for future >>needs; we have a bunch o' books to do this year, and I'm not sure one indexer >>is going to want to handle them all.) >> >>TIA for any help you can give me. >> >>--Terri Mauro >>TEMauro@AOL.com ***************************************** Cynthia D. Bertelsen--Indexer cbertel@usit.net Web page: http://www.vt.edu:10021/B/bertel/ndx.html ***************************************** ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 13:55:09 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Cynthia Bertelsen Subject: Apologies I just accidently sent a message to the list through no fault of my own; my email program has been acting strange the last few days. My profound apologies, accompanied by a very red face. ***************************************** Cynthia D. Bertelsen--Indexer cbertel@usit.net Web page: http://www.vt.edu:10021/B/bertel/ndx.html ***************************************** ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 15:23:09 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Elizabeth J Thielke Subject: Indexing Education (fwd) Beth Roy Thielke@acsu.buffalo.edu ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 15:15:52 -0500 (EST) From: Elizabeth J Thielke To: BITNET list server at BINGVMB Subject: Indexing Education Hello, I have been lurking for the past month. I am interested in becoming an indexer and have a few questions. First a little about my background: I have a BS in accounting and worked in that field for eight years. I am now at home with my two daughters who are 5 and 2. My five year old has a disability, so I am very interested in being able to be at home with my children as much as possible. That is why I am so interested in Indexing. It is one of the only professional level - work at home options that I have been able to discover. I have also started working on my Masters in Library Science part time. I am interested to hear what any of you would suggest as the best way to learn indexing. I am aware of the USDA course, my MLS program has an indexing course, and I was also wondering if anyone is familiar with Susan Holberts Course. Please offer suggestions! Thanks, Beth Roy Thielke@acsu.buffalo.edu ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 14:55:10 -0600 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Joanne Clendenen Subject: Re: WHERE'S THE MAIL? I didn't get mail for a couple of days until I checked this afternoon. Don't know what happened. Hope I didn't miss anything. Joanne AfterWords Indexing Services Joanne E. Clendenen | Do, or do not. There is no try. Yoda 9597 Jones Rd. #113 Houston, TX 77065 (281) 469-4461 wsc-jec@worldnet.att.net ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 16:15:00 EST Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Good Indexer Subject: Re: What I do Hi Carol: Could you tell us what those books you're reading are about? ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 16:15:51 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: Macrex@AOL.COM Subject: Apologies and a warning about protecting your modem To all who have e-mailed me in the past couple weeks and not gotten an answer: I discovered this morning that while indeed there are problems logging onto AOL and that there are indeed problems here in the San Francisco exchanges with circuit busy signals the major problem I have had in getting onto AOL during the past couple weeks was actually my modem. My most frequent experience was to hear the modem dialing but then not be able to connect to AOL. Occasionally I would be able to log onto AOL and then the "fun" would really start: message traffic, in and out, would begin (I always use flash sessions to log on) and almost immediately my system would hang -- it would often take a power down re-boot before I could regain control of my computer. Occasionally, a few messages would transfer, especially if I only had one or two outgoing in the queue and they did not have any attachments. AOL tech support became convinced that the problem was my modem. Win95 modem diagnostics and the Supra diagnostic software said all was okay but yesterday repeated attempts to receive a fax failed. This, when combined with an inspection by a PG&E technician a few days ago resulted in the decision to try a new modem. This morning I picked up and installed a new USRobotics modem. Thus this public apology to AOL and Pac Bell... As soon as I got the new modem installed, I managed to collect several hundred messages in a single logon attempt! The fax arrived on the first attempt today. I've now made several more logon attempts and connected each time on the first try! I suspect that there will continue to be problems during AOL's peak periods but the response I am now getting is so very different from what I had with the old modem that I am now convinced that AOL tech support staff were right -- the modem had been damaged. I have long had a UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply) on each of my computers and have for many years recommended that anyone living in an area where lightning storms were frequent add a surge protector to their phone lines. But I live in the San Francisco Bay Area -- we don't have big problems with lightning storms. My UPSs all beep when the incoming power is below par. I might hear them a couple times a month. Recently they've been beeping several times an hour, usually accompanied by a dimming of the lights. I finally became worried and called PG&E. They sent out a technician who looked around and said he could find no problem in the building. He also said that when the power lines were replaced a couple years ago, the contractors had not always done a good job of securing the lines to the poles so he would have a crew come an check the lines in the area. He's a bit of a computer junky so we got to talking about computers and the like. He told me that almost two weeks ago now a neighborhood transformer blew and mentioned its location -- right next door to the main Pac Bell switching station in this area! Naturally, PG&E doesn't want to accept responsibility for my modem problems but I am now convinced that it is important to put a surge supressor on each line, preferably at the junction box so that all attached equipment (phones, answering machines, modems, etc.) is protected. If you or anyone you know sent me an e-mail recently, please be assured that I will respond as quickly as possible. My AOL software is now warning that I have too many messages in the Personal Filing Cabinet so I am sure it will take a few days to get caught up. If you do not have an answer from me by Monday, please consider that the message was lost and resend it. Gale Rhoades Director Macrex Sales & Support Office (North America) ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 16:06:40 -0600 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: JCR Subject: Re: Roommate for Winston-Salem conference Hi, Julia, I am Julie Crouch, MLIS and live in Austin, TX. I just joined the list and will locate info on the annual May conference. I am laid-back (non-smoking) (a a30ish 46) and invite your response! I also work at the university. Just got my home PC! Sharing expenses would be tantamont to attending the meetings. How does the program look? jul@mail.utexas.edu I took indexing and abstracting at UT from Linda Webster and attended fall mtgs in Houston--good workshops! worked on two indexing projects the class divided up, and audited the course before I took it. I have a few projects to finish to complete the course. | I'm not into working out. My | philosophy: No pain, no pain --Carol Leifer Carol.Roberts@mixcom.com ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 16:18:13 -0600 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: JCR Subject: Re: Learning Indexing (fwd) Hi, Beth, I just graduated MLIS and have mild head injury and CFIDS-FM-MFP so need work at my pace and capability. I am glad you have found something to adapt to your family needs. I suggest going to your regional meeting/workshops in addition to class projects. I took indexing from a real pro. I attended a regional fall meeting and plan to attend a spring regional meeting. About 30 people came to the fall one which had a workshop that was very good. Only 5 came to the other regional meeting, but they were the ASI officers locally with a lot of experiences they compared. So there was opportunity to network with them. One did hire about 11 students to do contract indexing on a grant she successfully proposed. At the meeting, they examined an award winning book Index in their area of expertise. That was extremely valuable method of learning nuances and approaches and applications of ANSI and ____ rules. To see even the pros differing and the best award winners making some mistakes was encouraging in a way. :) Carl Sagan's Cosmos was the most impressive index -- by a woman in her 80s who was already a notable indexer. I prepared my 10-15 min. class presentation from Cosmos and the class was very enthusiastic and stayed attentive. At the end I told them about the indexer and the award! Final punch was a knock-out. Hope to hear how you are doing in school and any [other] ideas you are impressed with. Good luck! In At 15:23 27/02/97 -0500, you wrote: >Beth Roy Thielke@acsu.buffalo.edu > | I'm not into working out. My | philosophy: No pain, no pain --Carol Leifer Carol.Roberts@mixcom.com ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 16:20:38 -0600 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: JCR Subject: Hello Hello Joanne, I attended the indexing workshop and remember your name. I plan to attend the next one soon. Hope to say hello then. Julie Crouch, MLIS Aug. 1996 originally from Houston | I'm not into working out. My | philosophy: No pain, no pain --Carol Leifer Carol.Roberts@mixcom.com ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 19:12:53 -0500 Reply-To: Indexer's Discussion Group Sender: Indexer's Discussion Group From: "Cheryl Bunker." Subject: Re: No Subject Did the whole group need to see this????