Quote:
Originally Posted by Hitch
It's not that I don't think that you (or anyone) cannot create a complex, nested indices; it's how we do that, and do not strand the reader that concerns me.
For example, let's say we have my previously-used example (here at Mobile Read) of a book on Dogs. We have in this an entry, on Irish Setters. In the Index, the following items ALL go to that entry:
Setters, Irish
Long-Coated Dogs;
Hunting Dogs;
Family-suitable Dogs;
Large Dog Breeds;
Dogs that need significant exercise.
All six, let's say, of these items go to the SAME entry.
Now, let's say that I'm Jane, and I'm seeking a dog that will suit my lifestyle, get along with my kids and so forth. So, I've skimmed the book--and now I'm using the Index to help me in my search.
When I use a print book, I have the luxury of sticking a thumb in the Index page I'm on, and flip to the page that I found in that same index. So, in "family-suitable dogs," I see the Irish Setter entry. In print, I flip to page 55; I skim it, and then I flip back to that same Index entry, and move on to the next dog in that list that catches my eye in the Family-friendly Index list. Right?
But now I'm in the ebook. I go to Family-suitable dogs, and I see Irish Setters. I click the link, to go to the Irish Setter entry.
How do I get BACK to "Family Suitable Dogs?"
To me, this is the single biggest stumbling block in creating two-way linked eBooks. It's not the simple stuff, linking from Index entry 1 to page X. It's the a) multi-page items (e.g., "page 75-80"), and b) how you solve the multi-targeted landing page/item.
To me, that's the biggest single issue.
Hitch
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Your example does a good job of demonstrating the value of linked indexes over simply relying on the reader's search function.
As a reader I find that the ability to bookmark is all I need when dealing a one-way links. (it's a pretty good thumb substitute
) The fact that most readers provide a way to backtrack is gravy.