PT Journal Index (Confused now)

Kent Swafford kswafford@earthlink.net
Thu, 30 Apr 1998 17:56:46 -0500


Richard Wagner wrote:

>My original question, however, was about a
>comprehensive/searchable database of the indexes TO the articles... not the
>articles themselves.
>
>I don't see how anyone could try to prohibit just a listing of titles and
>authors.  As an example, it's been done in book form to cover 14 years as
>Kent stated below.  
>
>Why can't the same be done for all the journals from day one to present
>with updates available every year or so?
>
>Am I missing something?
>
>Thanks again.
>
>			Richard Wagner RPT

Journal indexes have been published in the past; it is my understanding 
they have sold relatively poorly.

Indexes in book form are more-or-less out of date as soon as they are 
published.  Out-of-date indexes are a drag.

I do not know the details, but a computerized Journal index was published 
independently by an individual in the past, but no longer. Perhaps it was 
"before its time."  

Speaking only for myself, I believe that the answer as to how best to 
handle a Journal index is to 1) think of it as a member benefit rather 
than a revenue source and 2) publish it online so that it can be updated 
monthly. Although it is true that not all techs are online and could 
directly access an online index themselves, the off-line techs could 
still make a phone call to the home office or someone they know with 
online access (RVP's and other computer geeks) and get the info they seek.

It is my expectation that any CD-ROM of Journal articles would include an 
index.  I do not believe that a Journal index would be a large enough 
project to warrant being published by itself on a CD-ROM.

>Would it be possible to ... incorporate Danny Boone's
>material, give Barbara a hefty royalty for using it, supplement it with the
>missing and newer material, then market it as a PTG publication?
>
>Susan

See above for my take on the situation. I believe the PTG has compiled 
data in-house for indexing the Journal and could publish an index with 
this data.

Kent Swafford


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