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editing * indexing

Did you know there are two types of database indexes?

One is a data structure applied to a database to optimize search performance. If you're interested, Geeks for Geeks provides a plain language overview.

The other, and perhaps less familiar, type is a subject index similar to a book index. Creation requires analysis of the database contents, whether text, images, audio, or anything else that is classifiable. Locators in a book index are page numbers; in a database index, they are database entries.

Say I decided to index my collection of personal photos. A lot of subjects come to mind: people, dates, locations, mood (e.g., funny).

But I am also an amateur artist, and I have a collection of photos that I use as drawing references. For these, a different set of subjects come to mind: person, place, or thing? If a person, is it a head shot, stationary pose, action shot? Male or female? Adult or child?

Please contact me if you have content that needs organizing.

Now for my request to you.

I am currently the manager of the American Society for Indexing's Periodical/Database Indexing Special Interest Group. I would like information on current and future employment for database indexers. To that end, I am conducting a survey. I have included it below and invite you reply to periodicals@shaw.ca.

Survey on Database Indexing

1. Have you done database indexing …

In 2023, 2024, or 2025?

In 2018 to 2022 inclusive?

Before 2018?

I have never done database indexing

2. Database indexing work you have done - check all that apply

In-house

Contract

Other (please specify)

None of the above

3. Who hired you?

Government

Business sector

Nonprofit organization

Other (please specify)

4. How do you see the future of database indexing?

5. Do you have any other comments?

6. Would you be willing to provide more information?