<VV> why constant newbie questions? corvair literature criticism

[airvair at earthlink.net]

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. Yet they require officers of the local lodges (particularly the
Masters on up) to know the Bylaws, and/or be able to quickly find any given
item in the codebook. It's one of my perenial frustrations, upon which I
have complained bitterly for years, as well as through two terms as Master
of my Lodge.

While that situation isn't directly applicable to the Corvair world, it
simply illustrates my point about the lack of good indexes. A good,
comprehensive index (as mentioned in my other post on this subject) would
definately be of help, not only to newbies, but to old hands such as
myself. Heck, at this stage of my life I've probably forgotten more than
most Corvair people will ever know, nor do I remember where I saw it. LOL

-Mark


> [Original Message]
> From: <BobHelt at aol.com>
> Subject: Re: <VV> why constant newbie questions? corvair literature
criticism
>  
> In a message dated 11/26/2009 6:39:00 A.M. Mountain Standard Time,  
> ravensong13 at verizon.net writes:
>
> The  Corvair Basics book is fantastic.. and a must for any Vair owner... 
> but why  doesnt it have an index!?!?!?!?   but please include an  index!!!
>
> Hi Ray,
> I don't know the answers to all of your questions, but as an author,
here's 
>  my take on things.
>  
> As to the need for an index, in my many years for book reading and info  
> searching I have NEVER found an index to be helpful. Despite looking in
the  
> index(es) under many different words, searching for a single topic, I
have  
> regularly and continually been disappointed. In addition, when trying to
use 
> an  index in a typical book I usually get to follow many dead-end
searches 
> in the  book because that isn't what I was looking for. So I do not
credit 
> indexes for  being especially helpful. Indexes leave a lot to be desired
in my 
> opinion and  don't provide much direction to a particular topic.
>  
> BUT, I believe that a complete TABLE OF CONTENTS usually provides the  
> directions to a needed topic better and faster than trying to see what
word the  
> author used for a topic search. That is why my TOCs are long and fairly 
> complete  in my books (Basics included) and why I purposefully do not
include 
> an  index.
>  
> I hope that this helps...Please reply if you have questions.
>  
> Regards,
> Bob Helt
>