Categorizing records

Champtree, I just put "reader software" in at Google and found several web sites, including one that allows free trial.

Let us know how this works if you go for it. From Aroc's post, he is thinking about this but has not installed it on his computer yet.

Just checked their website and a barcode is needed to input your LP info. My problem is, most of my records have no barcodes. For 40 bucks it would be a great way to input your CD's!

Albert is right, we haven't bought nor installed it yet. We're just evaluating our options at the moment. And yes, the input method via barcode scan or you have to manually type them in.

if you're a fast touch typist, the copy/paste method might not buy you much speed. That is if there *is* a copy/paste method. You'd have to do some more digging on that.

Aaron

There are several DB's out there that allow quick downloading of info for CEE DEE's. Some allow filling with the stroke of a few letter via an included hard-drive database and access to several on the web. A couple (i.e. CDTrustee) allow one to slip the CD into their computer and it will fill all fields automatically - even a cover picture. Sadly, I have not found a DB that is designed for LP's. Some of the CD data will be the same, but often it is different - tracks, track order, release dates and, obviously, release number.

However, that does not answer the question of categorizing. I use a modified system, similar to Albert's, but mine is mostly just genre by alpha. The label (period) idea is a good one. I do find that the front-facing shelving I've recently built helps me find things much more quickly, but it takes up a lot more space, too.

I put together a catalog of my entire collection of LP's and CD's, reading artist name, album title, and album label and album number into a Dictaphone, album by album.

I then paid my secretary to transcribe everything onto an Excel document.

Being computer-ignorant, I was frightened by the Excel file, so I copied the contents and pasted it into a Word file, and then hit "alphabetize".

The listings are arranged by CD's and LP's, and further subdivided by genre, e.g., classical, jazz, rock/blues, box sets, other.

I have the catalog in a three-ring binder. It is 40 pages single-spaced, sits in a drawer, and I never look at it. It is about twenty albums out of date now.

As for actual arrangement of LP's and CD's, maybe 2/3rds are with us where we are currently living, and the balance is in our other place. The LP's and CD's are sort of in alphabetical order by genre, with special sections for Dylan, Vengerov, the Stones, favorite items, etc. There are also three LP piles propped up against the walls, etc., of frequently played titles, and a varying stack of recently played or plan to play CD's sitting next to the CD holders.

The catalog is nice for insurance purposes, but the real arrangement is irrational and heart-felt (like music).