Indexes

So, I was wondering how indexes work on these ereaders, especially as I am mainly a non-fiction reader.
I went to barnes and investigated the nook. We looked at a recent nonfiction book, and there was an index. However, the index cannot be accessed in a meaningful way. You can't select an index topic, and no page number was given. Bummer
I was told that this is not always the case, that it is dependent on how each publisher provides the e-copy. The saleswoman assured me she had seen other ebooks with indexes where the index topic was selectable. I'm guessing that it is a book by book decision, too.
The only way to tell with the nook is to take a trial run and see if the index is "usable."
I find this disappointing. I am wondering what other people's experiences on this topic has been.

I think what she told you is true. I have a kindle and sometimes the index works and sometimes it doesn't. More often they don't because they are not as necessary as in real books. On the Kindle (and I assume on the Nook), there is a search function. So you can search for a key word rather than look in the index. Search essentially serves the same function as an index.

Now a Table of Contents is different. More books have linked Tables, which is helpful.

k4k

Kindle's search function, though, isn't really a good substitute for an index because the search function is so slow. It can take a minute or two for the search function to complete executing and give you a results page, and that's really just too long to have to sit there with an inert machine (because the Kindle doesn't multitask). These eReaders don't have the processor power of a PC.

Don't misunderstand. I love my Kindle. I was a fairly early adapter and have both a K1 and a K2 (though I don't plan to upgrade to K3, at least unless something goes kerflooey with my K2). If you're going to be using Kindle search function on a constant basis, though, I think you're going to be disappointed. What I also find annoying about Kindle's search function is that, once you've started it, you can't turn it off if it's taking too long unless you do a reboot of the Kindle.

I have a K1 and a K3. Search is much faster on the K3, possibly because (like the K2) you can search just the book you are in. However, it is true, unless you restrict carefully, that you can end up with pages and pages of search items. Still, I like it better than going back and forth between an index page and multiple pages where an item is listed.

ALso true with a Sony, some books do some books don't. Some boosk amusing have an index with pages numbers plus a cute little message "the page numbers in this ebook do not correspond to the printed versions, please use your ereader search function"

For non-DRM'd ebook if you'll be reading it alot you can create your own index using Calibre or similar programs. It's quite abit of work though, and I'm not sure of all the details.