© 2008
Are You Using the SWC Index?
by Kate Johnston
What is an index?
An index is an "alphabetized list of names, places, and subjects treated in a printed work, giving the page or pages on which each item is mentioned." (With thanks to the Free Dictionary --
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/index)
Where can one find an index or indices (the plural of index)?
There are all kinds of indices, but the one you're probably most familiar with is the back-of-the-book index. Usually found in non-fiction works -- but sometimes found in works of fiction too -- a back-of-the-book index lets you look up a topic you're interested in. Or maybe you've read the book already and want to take the quick route to finding the topic you remember seeing.
Okay, but what does this have to do with the SWC?
The SWC Online Voices has an index! You can find it right on the SWC OnlineVoices page. (http://www.saywhatclub.com/onlinevoices.html)
Okay, how does it work?
It's the same as an index in the back of a book, except this index -- like the rest of the SWC -- is all online!
You'll notice on the SWC Online Voices page that all newsletters are listed by the date of publication. Let's say you had an article published in the December 2006 issue. You know it's there, but you want to give someone a direct link to the article. You scroll down to December 2006, click on it, and it pulls up the Table of Contents. Then you can go to the article you want. (And copy the link at the top of the page.)
Or, let's say you don't remember which issue published your gems of wisdom. What now? Here's where the index is useful. Click on "swcindex" and a new page pops up. You now have a choice of either the "Author Index" or "Subject/Title" index.
Going back to my example, you can go to the "Author Index" and look up your name to see what articles you've published. Entries are alphabetized by last names, if known. All articles written by you (or whomever you're looking up) are listed with a direct link to the article.
Or, if you're interested in seeing what your fellow members have had to say on the same topic, click on the "Subject/Title Index" and scroll down to the appropriate section. Say you picked "hearing aids" as your subject: You would scroll down to the "H" section (or click on the "H" at the top of the page.) As you can see, our members have had plenty to say on the subject.
Just as in a back-of-the-book index, entries are cross-referenced. All articles are indexed by the author and by the subject. Some articles are referenced several times, as they cover more than one topic, or cover more than one subject.
Enjoy!