Traditional capitalization-weighted index funds are lower cost, while alternative indexes often have higher exposures to size and value factors.

FORBES: No Free Lunch from Alternative Indexes

If Apple doubles in price, the manager of a capitalization-weighted fund can take the day off, neither buying nor selling.

FORBES: Betting Against Market Fads

The Index is a rules-based, modified global-capitalization-weighted, float-adjusted index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of a global universe of listed companies engaged in the solar energy industry.

FORBES: Obama Shines On Solar, ETFs Will Benefit

Indexes used in passive portfolios and for active management benchmarking should be broadly diversified and free-float capitalization weighted.

FORBES: Passive Investing Doesn't Exist, But So What?

The EAFE is free-float capitalization weighted.

FORBES: Split the EAFE for Better Returns