Re: Index vs. Search

["Fred Ridder" <docudoc -at- hotmail -dot- com>]

A search function only works when the users knows the
specific words that appear in the content of the help
system (or other information deliverable). It's the
*index* that can help users get to the get to the right
place if they know the concept by a different term.
Of course, this assumes that we're talking about an
intelligently compiled index and not one based on a
simple concordance, since that kind of index is no
more helpful than a search function.

-Fred Ridder


>From: Writers Book Mall <steve -at- writersbookmall -dot- com>
>Reply-To: steve -at- writersbookmall -dot- com
>To: Zen C <zenizenc -at- gmail -dot- com>, techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
>Subject: Re: Index vs. Search
>Date: Fri, 7 Sep 2007 06:50:58 -0700 (PDT)
>
>Yes, it does. No matter how much thought you put into
>your index, some users will not think of the words you
>thought of. By giving them a search function, you'll
>help them, too.
>
>--- Zen C <zenizenc -at- gmail -dot- com> wrote:
>
> > Hi All,
> >
> > Does it make sense to have a search function if I
> > have a good index for web
> > help?
> >
> > Zen
>
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