From my perspective as a relatively younger indexer, it feels like indexing is in the midst of a generational turnover, both in terms of long-time indexers nearing retirement and in regards to software. A lot of programs developed in the 1980s and 1990s are still vital to our work, but what happens when their developers either retire or die? The indexing community has been struggling with this question over the last few years. Dave Ream died unexpectedly in 2017, leaving his programs orphaned. Margaret Berson died in 2022, leaving behind her macros. MACREX is now available for free, after its co-developer, Drusilla Calvert, and longtime North American support person, Gale Roades, both died. The latest program to undergo a change in status is Cindex, though thankfully everyone involved is still alive and well.
If you are part of some of the indexing email lists, then today’s reflection may not be news to you. However, I think Cindex’s latest news could be of real value if you don’t yet use dedicated indexing software. I think it is also worth reflecting on what the future of indexing software may look like.
Cindex
The software I use, Cindex, is officially open source as of April 1, 2024. (No, that’s not an April Fools joke.)
This was a huge surprise to the Cindex community. Cindex was originally developed by Frances Lennie, the owner of Indexing Research, in the mid-1980s, and has become one of the top indexing programs, especially for those of us on a Mac. As part of legacy planning, Cindex was sold to Scribendi, a larger editorial company, in 2022. I don’t think anyone anticipated that Scribendi would change their mind so quickly and seek to offload Cindex, though Scribendi was itself acquired by another company in 2023, so perhaps the new owners had different priorities.
Fortunately, the transition to open source has gone smoothly. A number of indexers have stepped up and have created free installers for both Mac and Windows, as well as have already made a few updates to the software. (I installed the latest version yesterday, which is working great.) Support also remains in place, with the Cindex email group continuing on. Maria Sullivan, an indexer who has provided support for decades, is also making plans for how to effectively provide support in this new era. More details about all of that, including links to download the software, at the new Cindex website, here.
I have to admit I was apprehensive about this change. I have no technical skills in regards to software development and was concerned that Cindex would stagnate and eventually become obsolete. I am very thankful and relieved that others do have the necessary skills to keep Cindex going, and are willing to step in and make that happen.
I have used Cindex since 2013. I find it intuitive and easy to use. The value for me to two-fold. Cindex handles all of the formatting, such as alphabetical sorting and punctuation, as well as easily flipping back and forth between run-in and indented formats, which is a huge timesaver, as well as ensuring I don’t accidentally introduce errors. Cindex also makes it easier to input entries, and to manipulate and edit the index. Cindex allows me to focus on the fun stuff—reading the book and crafting the index—by taking care of the fiddly technical details.
If you’ve been considering using indexing software but haven’t yet made the jump, this is a fantastic opportunity to acquire professional software for free. I highly recommend Cindex. Again, you can find the download links and installation instructions here.
Picardy
I also want to mention another program. Picardy is freeware (not open source) and is currently available for Windows and Linux, with a beta version available for Mac.
I have not used Picardy. When I was writing my book, Book Indexing, Picardy was just starting to be developed and tested. At that time, I decided not to mention it because I didn’t know if it would work out and stick around. I’ve since heard of at least one professional indexer who has stated that they are happy with it. So, if you are looking for another free option, considering giving Picardy a try. You can find more details here.
The Future of Indexing Software?
One of the enduring problems that indexing faces is that it is so niche. Though integral to publishing, the number of indexers worldwide is small. I suspect this is why indexing software tends to be home-grown, initially developed by working indexers for their own use, as there is not enough of a market for larger software companies to be interested. This model of indexers developing their own software works fine so long as these indexer-developers remain active and willing to support their creations, but as I mentioned above, the indexing community seems to be in a time of transition.
I don’t think we can count on larger companies taking on these programs, as Scribendi was supposed to do for Cindex. Another possibility may be for indexer-developers to sell their software to a younger indexer who is willing and able to take over responsibility. I fully support software developers being compensated for their work. Michelle Guiliano, on this episode from her podcast, Freelance Indexer Exchange, suggests better compensation as a way to help keep these programs alive. Or, maybe the best long-term solution is to make these programs open source.
Open source does feel like a risk. What if the user base is too small and no one is willing or able to step in and volunteer to keep the software going? Some programs may fade away, which may also reflect that technology changes and that better options are now available. But the experience of Cindex gives me hope. Giving the software to the community can open up new opportunities and allow users to take the initiative to keep their favorite programs going. As indexer-developers think about retirement, maybe open source is the best way to ensure their legacy.
What do you think? Do you have concerns about the future of indexing software? How would you go about making sure that these programs have a future? Feel free to let me know in the comments.