re: Indexes in the PDF era

[Shlomo Perets <shlomo2 -at- microtype -dot- com>]

If the PDFs are primarily intended for on-screen use, it's not necessarily 
index or search. The index functionality may be combined with the power of 
search function, and not just simply mimic the printed book format.

For example, the Search function may be employed with pre-defined search 
phrases, helping readers who are not fully aware as to what to search for, 
or simply making it easier by not having to type.

Production is much simpler in the long run: after the specific mechanism 
and list of terms are set, the exact location of entries is determined 
dynamically by the search function (first result displayed on page, 
following results shown in context in the search panel).

Depending on setup and needs, pre-defined searches can be expanded to 
include related terms, synonyms, multi-document or folder searches etc.

The following sample PDFs demonstrate possible directions:

* Pre-defined or custom searches through a drop-down menu + Search button 
(visible but not-printed):
http://www.microtype.com/showcase/FormAsst/SearchMenu.pdf
(note: PDFs can be enabled with the Acrobat Pro 8 so that end-user custom 
searches using Reader may be saved)

* Pre-defined searches through bookmarks:
http://www.microtype.com/showcase/common_searches.pdf

* Pre-defined searches through pop-up menus:
http://www.microtype.com/showcase/NavigationAsst/PopUpMenus.pdf

* "Traditional" index entries arranged as a separate set of bookmarks 
(under "QuickAccess")
http://www.microtype.com/showcase/QuickAccess.pdf

[These techniques apply to all PDFs, independently of the authoring tool 
being used]


Shlomo Perets

MicroType, http://www.microtype.com * ToolbarPlus Express for FrameMaker
FrameMaker/Acrobat training & consulting * FrameMaker-to-Acrobat 
TimeSavers/Assistants

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