Which Computer Platform?

Indexing programs are available for Windows, Macintosh and DOS. For most indexers contemplating their first purchase of indexing software the choice will be between Windows and Macintosh. Here is why:

• Programs designed for Windows and Macintosh take advantage of capabilities that are very hard or impossible to provide under DOS (e.g., simple selection of text, copy and paste, drag-and-drop editing, on-screen display of entries exactly as they will appear on paper).
• Programs designed for Windows and Macintosh take advantage of computer memory that is usually unavailable to programs running under DOS. This means, for example, that you can work with several indexes at one time, and you can work seamlessly with large indexes. Several DOS programs work reasonably comfortably with large indexes, but generally not nearly as well as do their Windows and Macintosh counterparts.
• DOS is no longer being developed as an operating system, and on most computers now being sold is available only through Windows to support older programs that need it.

Windows or Macintosh?
If you already have one or other kind of computer, you should buy a package designed for it. If you do not already have a computer, your choice should be determined by the range of tasks you want to undertake on it, whether or not the software packages you want to use are available for it, and your personal taste. CINDEX for Macintosh and CINDEX for Windows are functionally almost identical.

If Macintosh, which Kind?
If you opt for a program designed for the Macintosh, you might be faced with the choice of one designed to run with older system software, or one designed to run with OS X. OS X provides a much more robust environment. CINDEX for Macintosh works only with Macintosh computers running Mac OS 10.3 and higher.