Hedden
Information Management
Simmons
College
Graduate School of Library and Information Science (GSLIS)
Continuing Education Online Workshops
Creating
Web Site Indexes
Workshop Description
Workshop Outline
Workshop Basics
Registration
Continuing Education/Professional Development
Simmons
GSLIS Workshops site (external link)
Next session: fall 2008
Workshop
Description
As websites grow in size and complexity, users need additional means
beyond the navigational menu and a site map to search a site for the information
they want. Unless a site is very large, an onsite search engine often
does not retrieve satisfactory results. Browsable A-Z indexes, on the
other hand, a format familiar to users from their appearance at the back
of nonfiction books, can provide highly accurate retrieval when added
to websites. Index entries are hyperlinked to the desired text within
a webpage or to an anchored point such as the section heading within the
webpage.
During this workshop, participants will learn how to create and format
a hyperlinked A-Z website index and how to use a freeware web indexing
tool and the free demo of another web indexing tool. The workshop begins
with a discussion about the structure of a website index and which sites
would benefit from an index. Topics covered include basic skills in indexing,
the process of indexing, and the use of HTML code in indexing.
Basic knowledge of either HTML or HTML editors (such as Dreamweaver or
Microsoft FrontPage) is assumed. Prior training or experience in indexing
is not required, but would be helpful. Participants will need a computer
running Windows (to run the web indexing tools), Internet access, a web
browser, and e-mail.
Examples of web site indexes created by Heather Hedden:
Gleason
Public Library Carlisle
Public Schools Boston-IA
Example of a web site index created by a previous workshop student:
Redwood
High School - Bessie Chin Library
Workshop
Outline
Lesson 1: Introduction to web site indexes
Types of web site indexes and an analysis of sample indexes, their structure,
and their source code. We will also consider the types of links needed
and the methods to indent subentries.
Chapter 1: Web Site A-Z Indexes Defined
Chapter 2: Index Structure
Chapter 3: Types of Web Site Indexes and Examples
Chapter 4: HTML Codes for Index Links
Chapter 5: HTML Codes for Subentry Indenting
Chapter 6: Indexing Process
Lesson 2: Indexing tools and practice using
XRefHT
An brief overview of the various software tools to help create web site
indexes, and specific practice with the freeware tool XRefHT.
Chapter 1: Introduction to Tools
Chapter 2: Using an HTML Editor
Chapter 3: HTML/Prep
Chapter 4: Online Help Authoring Tools
Chapter 5: XRefHT - Extracting Web Page Data
Chapter 6: XRefHT - Adding Anchors
Chapter 7: XRefHT - Editing the Index
Chapter 8: XRefHT - Generating the Web Index
Lesson 3: Indexing practice: HTML Indexer
Instruction and practice using the demo of the commercial tool
HTML Indexer.
Chapter 1: Adding Files to a Project
Chapter 2: Viewing Pages and Indexing
Chapter 3: Editing Entries and Creating Anchors
Chapter 4: Cross-references and External URLs
Chapter 5: Project Style Settings
Lesson 4: Indexing style and format
How to word the index entries, when to create subentries, and how to change
an index's format and style.
Chapter 1: Index Format
Chapter 2: Index Entry Indenting
Chapter 3: Subentries for Multiple Locators
Chapter 4: Wording of Index Entries
Workshop
Basics
Lessons: Weekly lesson texts are comprised of a set
of five or six web pages, one for each chapter of the lesson. Each lesson
has links, and some have associated graphics of screenshots. It is not
necessary to go through an entire lesson at one sitting, but each chapter
is designed to be read at one sitting. The lessons and chapters vary in
length, depending on the topic.
Exercises/Assignments: Each lesson has exercises or
assignments, often at the end of a relevant chapter, rather than always
at the end of a lesson. These are not exercises for you to submit for
grading/approval as homework assignments. Rather, these are learning exercises.
After completing the exercises for a lesson, please post your observations,
questions, or problems to the Discussion Board. In some cases, you may
choose to e-mail the instructor your work as an attached file.
Discussion Group: A discussion group is part of this
workshop. Students are encouraged to post lesson comments and questions
to the Discussion Board first before e-mailing the instructor directly,
for other students might have similar issues.
Software: No special software needs to be purchased
to complete the workshop. Rather, you will download demo versions or other
free software from the Internet. The freeware has both a Windows version
an a Java version that can run on any platform (Mac, Linux, etc.) as long
as you have the Java Runtime Environment. The other software tool is Windows
only. It is not necessary to use the Windows program to complete the workshop,
but one lesson is devoted to it. If you choose to purchase the Windows
tool HTML Indexer, you are entitiled to the 15% student discount from
the vendor. You will also need a web browser, e-mail, and Notepad or other
text editor.
Additional texts: No textbook is required, but several
are recommended:
Hedden, Heather. Indexing
Specialties: Web Sites.
Medford, New Jersey: Information Today Inc., 2007.
ISBN 978-1-57387-302-4. 165 pages.
Brown, Glenda, and Jonathan Jermey. Website
Indexing: Enhancing Access to Information within Websites, 2nd edition,
2004.
Lamb, James. Website
Indexes: Visitors to Content in Two Clicks. Ardleigh, Essex,
England: Jalamb.com Ltd., 2006. ISBN: 978-1-4116-7937-5. 144 pages.
Registration
Download the registration form
(pdf) for Simmons GSLIS Continuing Education workshops, fill it out, and
mail it with your payment (checks or cash only) for $250 made out to “Simmons
College” to:
Jody Walker, Program Manager
Graduate School of Library and Information Science
The Office of Continuing Education
Simmons College
300 The Fenway
Boston, MA 02115-5898
P: 617-521-2803
F: 617-521-3192
gslisce@simmons.edu
If your employer is paying for the workshop, please send in (or fax)
your completed registration form with a notation “employer to send
payment.”
Continuing
Education/Professional Development
All enrolled attendees will receive a Certificate of Continuing Education
Units (CEUs) for one unit, which will be mailed to them after the workshop.
Simmons College provides Professional Development Points (PDPs) according
to the Massachusetts Department of Education requirements for certification
revised as of 7/1/00. Attendees who request PDPs for (re)certification
will earn 15 PDPs for this 4-week workshop.
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