We index all manuals, with the exception of some jewel case inserts that are about eight pages.
We haven't extensively surveyed our users, but have asked internal users how they find information. The responses included the usual suspects (search, index, TOC), so we provide all three. We typically index as we go, so doing the index does not bog us down at the end of a project. We also refine the index with each release, if necessary. One thing we haven't been able to resolve is how to allow searching across multiple PDFs at a time or all documentation provided on a documentation CD, which may include PDFs and HTML Help. Any ideas out there? On 12/12/06, Lisa M. Bronson (TCP) <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > How many of you do indexing as a part of your job? > > Where I work, we unfortunately do not index our manuals. My predecessor > told me that we have such a detailed Table of Contents that we don't need > one. Now, I disagree with that idea, but am faced with the reality that in > the 8 years I've worked here, there has only been one time that I haven't > been swamped with just keeping up with day-to-day work. > > What about the rest of you? Do you index your manuals? > > Have a great week! > Lisa B. > > > ______________________________________________ > > Are you a Help Authoring Trainer or Consultant? Let clients find you at > www.HAT.Matrix.com, the searchable HAT database based on Char > James-Tanny's HAT Comparison Matrix. Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] for > details. > > Interested in Interactive 3D Documentation? Get the scoop at > http://www.doc-u-motion.com -- your 3D documentation community. > _______________________________________________ > > Technical Communication Professionals > > Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: > http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com > Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com > ______________________________________________ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Are you a Help Authoring Trainer or Consultant? Let clients find you at www.HAT.Matrix.com, the searchable HAT database based on Char James-Tanny's HAT Comparison Matrix. Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] for details. _______________________________________________ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
