WOW! So, I went home last night and watched the Park Tools video on indexing the shifters. Got it all set up where it is operating really smoothly in all cogs, except for the smallest, which makes a bit of noise. No biggy, as I never use it and I think the cassette may be just a tiny narrow at that point. But today I flipped the switch to friction shifting, and MAN! I am now a friction shifting disciple! I can't believe how cleanly it shifts and how much fun it is dialing in the right gear while flying down the road! I find it no more difficult than operating the system in index mode. It's so cool how you can give the lever very slight adjustment to dial everything in. Thank you for everyone's guidance!