Re: Consistent Index Entries

[Lori Lathrop <76620 -dot- 456 -at- COMPUSERVE -dot- COM>]

Paul -- If there are just a few page references, the best solution is to
provide page refs after *both* the acronym (with spelled-out term in
parentheses) and the spelled-out term (with acronym in parentheses).  For
example:

        Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)  145, 268

and

        SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol)  145, 268

However, if you have several subentries, you should put them under the
whichever is the better-known term.  For example, if your audience would
be more familiar with "SNMP" than with "Simple Network Management
Protocol," then the subentries should be under "SNMP (Simple Network
Management Protocol" and you should provide a *See* reference for the
spelled-out version:

        SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol)
          first subentry
          second subentry
          third subentry
          zee last subentry   :-)

and

        Simple Network Management Protocol
          *See* SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol)

On the other hand, if your audience is *not* likely to be familiar with
either the acronym (example: "VB") or the spelled-out version ("View
Builder") and, if we can assume that there are several subentries for
that topic, you should put the subentries under the spelled-out version:

        VB
          *See* View Builder

and

        View Builder (VB)
          first subentry
          second subentry
          third subentry

*See* references point readers to the *preferred* term.  When you index
terms in this way, your index becomes a learning tool for readers who may
not be familiar with product terminology.

Hope this helps ....

Lori Lathrop

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