Re: [6562] improvements in index display

[Karl Berry]

       \vskip 0pt plus 3\baselineskip
    -  \penalty 0
    +  \penalty -300 
       \vskip 0pt plus -3\baselineskip

This plus3 and then plus-3 doesn't make sense to me.
Did Stepan do that?

In any event, as long as you're messing around with index formatting, I
had an idea that the index might look better if the initials were
typeset in a box that is two line spaces high.  Then there is a chance
that the entries might line up side to side.  I'm sure it won't be
perfect, but maybe it will be better.  Something like:

  \nointerlineskip
  \vbox to 2\baselineskip{%
    \vfil
    \secfonts \secbf
    \leftline{#1}%
    \vskip.33\baselineskip % what we have now, maybe should be less
  }%
  \nobreak % at following interline space

Of course, any flexible glue anywhere will defeat perfect alignment, and
I don't suggest getting rid of it, but ... just an idea.