Sanet le Roux
@sanetleroux.bsky.social
Freelance Indexer since 2007. Mostly posts on indexing and books I indexed.
Pinned
Reposted by Sanet le Roux
I know not to judge a book by it's cover, but I have started judging a book by its index comma lack thereof. A good index is real work, and I'm coming around to noticing a pattern that if the publisher didn't think the book was worth the effort, it's not very good.
November 29, 2025 at 12:18 AM
I know not to judge a book by it's cover, but I have started judging a book by its index comma lack thereof. A good index is real work, and I'm coming around to noticing a pattern that if the publisher didn't think the book was worth the effort, it's not very good.
Reposted by Sanet le Roux
"At this time, AI cannot replace professional book indexers and we are doubtful that it will be able to do so soon, or even at all." #IndexSky
asindexing.org/ai-news/whit....
asindexing.org/ai-news/whit....
ASI releases white paper “LLM-Generated Book Indexes: Can They Replace Professionally Created Indexes?” | American Society for Indexing
We are developing a Statement on AI based on the white paper, which will include guidance for authors, publishers, and indexers; the statement will be released soon.
asindexing.org
August 28, 2025 at 2:14 PM
"At this time, AI cannot replace professional book indexers and we are doubtful that it will be able to do so soon, or even at all." #IndexSky
asindexing.org/ai-news/whit....
asindexing.org/ai-news/whit....
Reposted by Sanet le Roux
Launch of this volume tonight at Ike’s Books in Durban, in which I have a chapter on classical education.
August 5, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Launch of this volume tonight at Ike’s Books in Durban, in which I have a chapter on classical education.
Reposted by Sanet le Roux
Finished this good but discomforting book by Dineo Skosana about how modern coal mining in South Africa requires the removal of the dead.
July 14, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Finished this good but discomforting book by Dineo Skosana about how modern coal mining in South Africa requires the removal of the dead.
Reposted by Sanet le Roux
I always say history's a growth area, there's more of it every day.
HOW MUCH past is there? All of it? God damnit
July 26, 2025 at 1:48 PM
I always say history's a growth area, there's more of it every day.
the indexer's waghond
June 24, 2025 at 11:37 AM
the indexer's waghond
indexing nownow, just staring at these beautiful white eyelashes for a bit
June 17, 2025 at 1:27 PM
indexing nownow, just staring at these beautiful white eyelashes for a bit
Reposted by Sanet le Roux
“What is common knowledge in your field, but shocks outsiders?”
Indexers actually read all the text and choose the words for the index carefully. Their software is there to support their work, not do the intellectual bit.
Indexers actually read all the text and choose the words for the index carefully. Their software is there to support their work, not do the intellectual bit.
“What is common knowledge in your field, but shocks outsiders?”
Authors don’t make a living from their books. Not from their advances and not from their royalties. Not remotely.
Authors don’t make a living from their books. Not from their advances and not from their royalties. Not remotely.
What is common knowledge in your field, but shocks outsiders?
In general, it takes about 1000 years to form 1cm of new soil.
In general, it takes about 1000 years to form 1cm of new soil.
June 17, 2025 at 10:33 AM
“What is common knowledge in your field, but shocks outsiders?”
Indexers actually read all the text and choose the words for the index carefully. Their software is there to support their work, not do the intellectual bit.
Indexers actually read all the text and choose the words for the index carefully. Their software is there to support their work, not do the intellectual bit.
Reposted by Sanet le Roux
MAY CARTOON: ivacheung.com/2025/05/pass... #AmIndexing
Passing through - Iva Cheung
ivacheung.com
May 2, 2025 at 3:58 AM
MAY CARTOON: ivacheung.com/2025/05/pass... #AmIndexing
cold morning, indexing later
May 3, 2025 at 6:50 AM
cold morning, indexing later
Reposted by Sanet le Roux
Hi, #JewSky, I’m looking for an indexer with experience indexing Jewish Studies academic books. If you are one, or know one, please reply or PM me. I already looked at the American Society for Indexing’s Indexer Locator, but I found fewer options there than I was expecting. Thanks!
April 24, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Hi, #JewSky, I’m looking for an indexer with experience indexing Jewish Studies academic books. If you are one, or know one, please reply or PM me. I already looked at the American Society for Indexing’s Indexer Locator, but I found fewer options there than I was expecting. Thanks!
Reposted by Sanet le Roux
Book launch: No Last Place to Rest — Coal Mining and Disposession in South Africa by Dineo Skosana
Date: 15 April 2025
Time: 17:30 for 18:00
Venue: Humanities Graduate Centre Seminar Room (Wits, East Campus)
Date: 15 April 2025
Time: 17:30 for 18:00
Venue: Humanities Graduate Centre Seminar Room (Wits, East Campus)
April 14, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Book launch: No Last Place to Rest — Coal Mining and Disposession in South Africa by Dineo Skosana
Date: 15 April 2025
Time: 17:30 for 18:00
Venue: Humanities Graduate Centre Seminar Room (Wits, East Campus)
Date: 15 April 2025
Time: 17:30 for 18:00
Venue: Humanities Graduate Centre Seminar Room (Wits, East Campus)
Reposted by Sanet le Roux
Good morning! I'm telling myself that I can't get too panicky to meet my deadlines and do good work because then I'll just be giving my clients more stuff to panic about! "The economy is collapsing *and* I got a shitty index??"
April 3, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Good morning! I'm telling myself that I can't get too panicky to meet my deadlines and do good work because then I'll just be giving my clients more stuff to panic about! "The economy is collapsing *and* I got a shitty index??"
Reposted by Sanet le Roux
For National Indexing Day, here's the fine work of Bill Johncocks indexing MY HEAD FOR A TREE for @profilebooks.bsky.social
Here he's dealing with the fact that most Bishnois share a last name.
#indexday
Here he's dealing with the fact that most Bishnois share a last name.
#indexday
March 27, 2025 at 10:54 PM
For National Indexing Day, here's the fine work of Bill Johncocks indexing MY HEAD FOR A TREE for @profilebooks.bsky.social
Here he's dealing with the fact that most Bishnois share a last name.
#indexday
Here he's dealing with the fact that most Bishnois share a last name.
#indexday
Reposted by Sanet le Roux
But as A. S. Byatt points out, indexes can also be a great source of pleasure and enjoyment for readers. Making an index requires creativity and insight as well as the ability to analyse, order and categorise information.
March 27, 2025 at 9:25 AM
But as A. S. Byatt points out, indexes can also be a great source of pleasure and enjoyment for readers. Making an index requires creativity and insight as well as the ability to analyse, order and categorise information.
Reposted by Sanet le Roux
I like the summary of 'human indexing' (abbreviated summary):
empathy: ability to put ourselves in the place of readers
judgement: rational decisions on what to leave out, what to put in; index concepts, not just words.
understanding: understanding the content of a book and the context as well.
empathy: ability to put ourselves in the place of readers
judgement: rational decisions on what to leave out, what to put in; index concepts, not just words.
understanding: understanding the content of a book and the context as well.
March 27, 2025 at 11:23 AM
I like the summary of 'human indexing' (abbreviated summary):
empathy: ability to put ourselves in the place of readers
judgement: rational decisions on what to leave out, what to put in; index concepts, not just words.
understanding: understanding the content of a book and the context as well.
empathy: ability to put ourselves in the place of readers
judgement: rational decisions on what to leave out, what to put in; index concepts, not just words.
understanding: understanding the content of a book and the context as well.
Reposted by Sanet le Roux
Indexing is an international profession. We have sister societies in Australia, Canada, China, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA. We contribute to fellow members' conferences and we all contribute to @indexer.bsky.social buff.ly/pgJ8Dfw #IndexDay
March 27, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Indexing is an international profession. We have sister societies in Australia, Canada, China, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA. We contribute to fellow members' conferences and we all contribute to @indexer.bsky.social buff.ly/pgJ8Dfw #IndexDay
Reposted by Sanet le Roux
Reposted by Sanet le Roux
Just leaving sunny Brighton to take part in the @indexers.bsky.social workshops in London for #IndexDay. Looking forward to discussing all things indexy with publishers and my fellow indexers.
March 27, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Just leaving sunny Brighton to take part in the @indexers.bsky.social workshops in London for #IndexDay. Looking forward to discussing all things indexy with publishers and my fellow indexers.
Reposted by Sanet le Roux
Happy #IndexDay to my indexing colleagues, as well as all the authors, readers, and publishing professionals who know the value of a good index. Follow @indexers.bsky.social for more indexing posts on this special day!
March 27, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Happy #IndexDay to my indexing colleagues, as well as all the authors, readers, and publishing professionals who know the value of a good index. Follow @indexers.bsky.social for more indexing posts on this special day!
Reposted by Sanet le Roux
#Indexday is when we celebrate the work of indexers in the UK and beyond. Colleagues are running a super event in London for editors and publishing professionals who need to know more. Any questions during the day, just ask and we'll try to answer them.
March 27, 2025 at 8:48 AM
#Indexday is when we celebrate the work of indexers in the UK and beyond. Colleagues are running a super event in London for editors and publishing professionals who need to know more. Any questions during the day, just ask and we'll try to answer them.
Reposted by Sanet le Roux
Happy #indexday 2025! A chance to foreground the modest back-of-the-book index, and its creators. Indexes have been quietly guiding readers to information since the beginning of printing.
March 27, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Happy #indexday 2025! A chance to foreground the modest back-of-the-book index, and its creators. Indexes have been quietly guiding readers to information since the beginning of printing.
Reposted by Sanet le Roux
New post on LinkedIn, about what a professional indexer brings tot he table www.linkedin.com/posts/rudyle...
A lot of people wonder why they should pay for a professional to construct… | Rudy Leon
A lot of people wonder why they should pay for a professional to construct their index, and think it’s just a simple alphabetical arrangement of keywords and…
www.linkedin.com
March 19, 2025 at 6:15 PM
New post on LinkedIn, about what a professional indexer brings tot he table www.linkedin.com/posts/rudyle...
Reposted by Sanet le Roux
March 19, 2025 at 10:07 AM