"Okay, another Goofy but Honest Question - Indexing" Topic

But first a proviso…please don't suggest something I have to download to my computer. It's an old steam powered QWERTY device with a kick stand and a pull cord starter. A new computer is going to have to wait until after my book is turned in to the editor, so I need something I can use online.

With that said…are there any online Indexing tools out there…including the latest WORD program(s)? Something efficient, quick and (sl)easy to utilize while using the HSI computers at either the public or FIU library?

I would like to index my upcoming Sikh War book, but with so many Sikh spelling variations to proper names, it may be impossible and time is also an issue.

Any help would be most appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

Andrew

When I last indexed a book, I simply did it with paper and a pen. But if you want an online tool, how about Google Drive?

Not sure what HSI stands for …

I'm presuming that your book exists in electronic form, but what format?

Are you trying to build an index for the print version, or are you trying to create an online version that people can access?

For spelling variations, pick one and make that the main entry with sub-topics. For all of the variations, use "see Ispell Myname Thisway." (I suspect that you know that, but I'm not clear on what you're asking.)

BTW, how big is the book?

High Speed Internet. EM

It's the Sikh War book I'm working on, everything is in Word (97-03) format, though it will be updated to Docx format at completion.

It would be for the print version, size will be one huge or two large volumes…that's up to Patrick (TVAG).

Thanks for your advice so far, Gents…very much appreciated!

Are you looking for an automated indexing system--one that analyzes the document and creates index without your intervention? Or just how you can mark each item in the document and then have it automatically generate the index?

If you're not familiar with it, you need either link
or
link

However, there are some semi-automated approaches. These do require creating a concordance, so I'm not sure how much time it saves: link

High Speed Internet.

You what? Never heard that one before.
I've just tested my home Internet connection using speedtest.net and I'm getting 19.08Mbps. Is that what you call high speed?

everything is in Word (97-03) format, though it will be updated to Docx format at completion.

I have to ask why? Wouldn't it make more sense to convert it to PDF?

I had a little giggle when I read the OP. If you are making ANY money by writing, it might be time to update what you are writing on. Perhaps a course in basic computing wouldn't hurt as well. You might find things that save you enough time that they pay for themselves VERY quickly.

Major Crossover…

I know of what you speak, I honestly do. I could give you a long schpiel in regards to my financial situ., etc., but the bottom line is:

1) My publisher is being very accomodating in regards to the tool(s) I am forced to use, because of the inherent worth of the book I'm working on.

2) Once the book is published, then I can get a new computer and take the time to learn programs that I haven't had the time or money to learn in the past.

Then, with my foot firmly in the 21st Century, I can progress that much quicker and efficiently with my next book.

I'm honestly caught in some wierd Catch 22 sort of situation, but I'm also right on the very verge of getting out from that trap within the next month or so.

So right now, I have to duck and dodge to do the best I can with what I have.

I have access to the FIU campus computers about once a month, I go to the library at least twice a week and, believe it or not, I'm slowly getting dragged into the 2nd Decaded of the 21st Century with my new Nook, which was just updated with a tonne of Google Chrome apps, which I am taking a few hours every Sunday to learn while sitting in my local B&N store.

I do Thank all of you for your input and assistance though, I've learned quite a bit already!

I can only say this on the subject.

I'm familiar with a lot of modern indexing software and modules, but -- I have NEVER EVER found an index in any modern book (post 1970) that compares with indexing done before that. If you want the best indexing, find something done pre-war (I mean Pre-WWI). I don't know how they did it but I know they didn't use computers, and the indexing was superb.