A paragraph-numbering system for locators, such as the one the Chicago Manual of Style uses, might possibly work for linking all e-book version of indexes the same way. But this might happen only if all e-reader devices would use a paragraph-based system, a standardized method of numbering screen pages/locations, and consistent placement of the index… Continue reading Solutions for the Index Locator Problem with e-Book Indexes
Still More Problems with e-Book Indexes
The E-Book Screen Locator Problem Linked indexes are vital in an e-book because a reader has to “flip” through hundreds of screens of the e-book one at a time to get to a particular page. The way each type of e-reader divides up an e-book also impacts the text reflow issue for indexes. Kindle books… Continue reading Still More Problems with e-Book Indexes
More Problems with e-Book Indexes
The E-Reader Device Problem To distinguish itself from others and to establish its own unique competitive advantage, each e-reader manufacturer uses different methods for displaying an e-book. These differences include the various size of the physical “frame” for the screen display in the book, as well as the types of navigation methods used, including icons and… Continue reading More Problems with e-Book Indexes
Problems with e-Book Indexes
E-Book Text-Reflow Problem Why do the vast majority of e-books today come without indexes? Primarily, because of implementation challenges. A reader’s ability to adjust font size plays havoc with page references. Where, for example, in an e-book should index entries point to? At certain font sizes, hyperlinked numbers might lead exactly where you want to… Continue reading Problems with e-Book Indexes
Missing the e-Book Index
A well-designed index can help facilitate smarter e-books, making it easier for readers to find and retrieve information more efficiently. Unfortunately, at least for the immediate future, indexes won’t likely be appearing in most e-books on the the main e-reading systems, such as Kindle and Nook. The companies behind these reading platforms haven’t programmed their reading software… Continue reading Missing the e-Book Index
Special Topics on Alphabetizing in Indexes
When articles, conjunctions, or prepositions appear as the first term in a main heading, the phrase is probably a title of a book, an article, a play, or a painting. If the first term is an article, such as A or The, the term is not alphabetized. For example, the book title A Tale of… Continue reading Special Topics on Alphabetizing in Indexes
Alphabetizing in Indexes
Letter-by-Letter or Word-by-Word? The two principal modes of alphabetizing – or sorting – indexes are the letter-by-letter and the word-by-word systems. Indexers must decide which mode to use before indexing begins. Dictionaries are arranged letter-by-letter, while library catalogs are arranged word-by-word. Most university presses, such as Chicago University Press, and many other publishers have traditionally preferred… Continue reading Alphabetizing in Indexes
More on Cross-References in an Index
Continuing our discussion of cross-references, this post explores additional references in the form of see under and see also under. When a cross-reference directs readers to a subentry another a main heading, see under may be used. The use of “under” indicates that the term will be found explicitly as a subheading below the main… Continue reading More on Cross-References in an Index
Cross-References in an Index
Cross-reference refers to internal index navigation guides. These guides generally take the form of See or See also. The See cross-reference performs a vocabulary control function. It directs readers from a term not used in the index to a term that is used: cars. See autos See references direct a reader from, for example, an… Continue reading Cross-References in an Index
Double Posting of Index Entries
In an index, the indexer may choose to provide multiple access points for the same information. Given the importance of the main heading, it may be reasonable to assume that readers may look up a topic in more than one way. One reader may look up automobiles, while another reader may be just as likely… Continue reading Double Posting of Index Entries