<VV> why constant newbie questions? corvair literature criticism

[airvair at earthlink.net]

At least we agree about most indexes being bad. But you make an interesting point as to "key" words. That's why I have always promoted the usage of common, industry-accepted terminology. It's why we all need to be "on the same page" and using proper terminology. The proposed index (if you note in my write-up) would contain "slang" terms in a cross-reference, but only to the extent that would allow such "slang" term usage to permit a user to arrive at the needed topic.

An example of this would be: "front spoiler, see valance panel". That's how that part is termed by GM in the P&A book. Then under "valance panel" there would be all the "chapter and verse" listings for wherever it was mentioned in the various sources. That would get everyone speaking in common terms. (BTW just TRY to find it in a GM P&A catalog!)

You say that a "table of contents" isn't general. Yet I find them to be so. If you're looking (for example) for a good illustration of the front control rod, just TRY to find one. Even Clark's at one point had to pencil in a representation of one for his catalog, and use but a partial (cutaway) at another point. What if you needed it to know whether yours was usable or not? Or try to find a windshield header trim or backlite molding. Hard to come by. What if you needed to know how they came off/attached to the body? Would you know where to look? You have to look at it in that kind of light, and a "table of contents" sometimes doesn't. You end up searching, and leafing through lots of pages (one reason a CD is useless, BTW).

Just my thoughts.....

-Mark


----- Original Message ----- 
From: 
To: airvair at earthlink.net;ravensong13 at verizon.net;virtualvairs at corvair.org
Sent: 11/26/2009 12:04:39 PM 
Subject: Re: why constant newbie questions? corvair literature criticism


In a message dated 11/26/2009 8:26:26 A.M. Mountain Standard Time, airvair at earthlink.net writes:
Bob,

I have to differ with you on the usefulness of an index. A table of
contents is a general listing. An index would break down that listing into
various key elements. A GOOD index, I have found, is invaluable. It's just
that there are so few good indexes, for anything.

Case in point is the Grand Lodge of Ohio's Bylaws index. Totally worthless
IMHO. 
OK, let's agree on that....A GOOD index is invaluable. But you seem to have the 
same problem that i have found over 40 some years of reading and researching. 
BAD indexes are everywhere. EVERYWHERE. And you cite a bad one for your example???

Thus I revert to my previous posting. 
Indexes are generally, if not universally, of no use. And here is the crux. When 
you are looking for a subject or word in a book, the author must have included 
your word, etc. in his index. But the authors don't. They use their own words. So you must know the words they placed in the index, a difficult task making the index hard to use at best.

Seems like you suggest that "we" convert all the existing Corvair documents to a universal index. That would be unbeliveably useless in practice. Challenge declined.

In addition Tables of Content are NOT general listings at all!!! They are listings of section headings specifying the content of each heading. Nothing general about it to me. But all specific information content.
Regards,
Bob Helt