Hi Heather!
When there are many results under each letter, online alphabetical indexes
are a pain. The user has to click through screen after screen under a
particular letter to get a result. Alphabetical indexes seem to work well
when there are a smaller number of results and the results lend themselves
to being alphabetized (e.g., business names).

A real area of opportunity for indexers with search engines seems to be in
developing keyword synonyms so the user doesn't have to enter the precise
search term to get the results they seek.

take care -

Kay Aubrey

Usability Resources Inc
www.UsabilityResources.net
781-275-3020

> What are thoughts among HCI/usability professionals, web site developers
> and designers, and information architects regarding implementing A-Z web
> site indexes on medium-sized web sites and intranets? Do these
> human-created indexes have a higher return on investment than cheaper but
> less satisfactory search engines?
>
> I am a freelance professional indexer who has created some web site A-Z
> indexes, and I am also coordinator of the Web Indexing SIG
> http://www.web-indexing.org of the of the American Society of Indexers
> http://www.asindexing.org
>
> There are a number of freelance indexers with the skills and interest to
> do web site indexing, but it is not clear how and to whom they should
> market contract web site indexing services (as opposed to traditional
> back-of-the-book indexing). My sense is that when a web site A-Z index is
> created (which is still relatively rare), in-house talent is used, rather
> than hiring a freelance professional. For example, a lot of
> college/university web sites have A-Z indexes, but then they can probably
> pull in a librarian for the index project.
>
> I look forward to hearing your comments.
>
>
> Heather Hedden
> Coordinator, Web Indexing SIG, ASI
> Principal, Hedden Information Management
> http://www.Hedden-Information.com
>
>     --------------------------------------------------------------
>     Tip of the Day: Suspend your subscription if using auto replies
>      CHI-WEB: www.sigchi.org/web POSTINGS: mailto:[log in to unmask]
>               MODERATORS: mailto:[log in to unmask]
>        SUBSCRIPTION CHANGES & FAQ:  www.sigchi.org/web/faq.html
>     --------------------------------------------------------------
>

    --------------------------------------------------------------
        Tip of the Day: Email mailto:[log in to unmask]
               with any comments, questions or problems
     CHI-WEB: www.sigchi.org/web POSTINGS: mailto:[log in to unmask]
              MODERATORS: mailto:[log in to unmask]
       SUBSCRIPTION CHANGES & FAQ:  www.sigchi.org/web/faq.html
    --------------------------------------------------------------