The negative health effects of constant sitting are now well-established, and we freelance publishing folks have a lot of computer time in our days. And given the findings from some NASA studies that the effects of gravity and lower body movement are important in counteracting the effects of sitting disease, standing desks have become popular. […]
PI Day 2024: The Beauty of the Irrational
Since we are PI (Potomac Indexing), we’ve always held the mathematical constant, π, close to our hearts and use it in our logo. So, today being π day, we are duly celebrating the usefulness of this great and ultimately impossible-to-pin-down number (more on π’s wonderfully irrational and transcendental qualities at Wikipedia, here). As indexers and taxonomists, we work with […]
Tightening Up Biography Indexes
Tradition in indexes of biographical subjects has always been a bit counter-intuitive to us indexers. With other subjects, best practices call upon us to avoid long lists of subheadings under what we term “metatopics” (topics that cover the whole book or very large portions of it), and to make main headings out of most of […]
Alternative seated positions
While the upright seated position (90-degree) seems to be the most commonly recommended (and used) position, it may not be the most healthy. Some very sophisticated studies using MRI imaging and stress measurement in the spine suggest that 135-degree thigh/torso position may be optimal for circulation, joint comfort, and weight distribution. In the declined position the […]
Tracking Process, not Just Progress
John Steinbeck famously kept a diary of his writing process, a practice familiar to many writers, including novelist Sue Grafton and memoirist Louise deSalvo. These diaries, which deSalvo calls “process journals” serve to chronicle only the process of writing, not the rest of life, and often one single writing project at a time. Grafton opened […]
Working Positions: Upright Seated
Just because we work freelance from home does not mean that we should ignore ergonomics. Admittedly if you are working at the kitchen table it may be a bit more difficult to achieve, but it’s likely possible. You need not cringe and immediately respond that you can’t afford it—there are lots of simple, inexpensive […]
