Re: [docbook-apps] Indexing.

[davep <davep@dpawson.co.uk>]

On 05/05/12 11:00, Thomas Schraitle wrote:
> > Any advice from those with lots of experience of using
> > db indexes please?
>
> Are you asking more about the indexing task itself or about the technical
> aspect?

The docbook aspects please Thomas

> Speaking about the indexing task itself, IHMO this is something that some
> books don't take it seriously enough. An index is a service to make the book
> more accessible to readers. I've seen lots of bad index which came just as an
> alibi, but with no value.
> So it isn't a surprise that a good index takes time and energy. When I've
> created the index of my book, it took lots of iterations and I guess it still
> isn't perfect. :)

I'm hoping I can learn about the task from this book (at least a little)



> If you are more interested in the technical aspect, that depends (heavily) on
> your document. I assume, you write more technical documents, right? In that
> case, you can automate (some) things to make the indexing more easy.

Yes, this is what I'm interested in. And yes, it is a tech document.

> For example, if you write about HTML5 you will probably use<tag>  or
> <sgmltag>. If you use this tag consistently, you can add some of them
> (semi-)automatically to your index page through profiling. I've described this
> topic in my book:
>
>   http://doccookbook.sf.net/html/en/dbc.structure.adding-indexterms.html

Thanks... I was thinking of a manual 'edit' (addition of indexterm)
but I'll have a look at this.

> With the help of profiling, this eases the pain of indexing and you can
> concentrate on the more difficult parts that can't be automated.
>
> Hope that helps and good luck with your index. :-)

Thanks Thomas




regards

--
Dave Pawson
XSLT XSL-FO FAQ.
http://www.dpawson.co.uk