Filing CD and DVD archives??

vicmilt wrote on 8/13/2006, 2:16 AM

Although I keep each of my jobs on a separate HD, I nevertheless also (out of terror and paranoia) tend to archive VEG files, certain media, and (most definitely) all my still photography and artwork onto CD's (formerly) and now onto DVD's.

Accordingly I've got hundreds of discs which go back a lot of years.

Any suggestions on how to file these guys PHYSICALLY - in some sort of order? Binders? Boxes? Other ways?

And how about indexing them? I was using Extensis Portfolio, but it began to prove unweidy for me. As I upgraded my "master computers" - well the Portofolio files wouldn't get moved and updated (my forgetfulness and general laziness). So something more automatic would be great.

Does anyone have any experience with discs and the new Google desktop? Will the Google DT work with offline media? How do you do it? Because it is FAST. I've used Google DT to catalog all my online machines. Freaking amazing for those of you who havent' tried it. You know how fast Google can search the web? Well it's certainly that fast searching my HD's. Not sure how to get it to work on my local network, though. Any suggestions on that?

Comments? Suggestions?

v

Comments

Grazie wrote on 8/13/2006, 4:07 AM

I use a series of 4 D-Ring Binders of different widths and colours with these puppies SX16001 from Storex .

I have 100 platters in their 4x4 back-to-backs holders in 40mm wide Bantex binders. I have several Bantex binders. The idea "grand idea" is to eventually have these in suspension files, they behave just like paper documents then. I like the idea of being able to reach up from where I sit and do my work and pullout an actual binder and thumb through it. From here they can be squirreled away in suspension filing system which is behind me. Don't like jewel case and CD racks - not for me.

Anyway, having them in binders makes them fit in with all my other filing systems.

Lili wrote on 8/13/2006, 6:17 AM

I also file DVD's in binders, but rings - each one holds 120 and is in a nice zippered black case that protects them and looks good too. (Get mine at Staples.) There is an index sheet for each one to list the details of each DVD in the order they can be found in the binder. I just keep adding to the end of the list. Not categorizing them by subject saves me from having to move them around all the time.
.
Having said that, I do have one smaller binder where I keep only DVD's on a certain subject that I film a lot - for quicker reference. Also don't like plastic cases and racks - they take up too much space for one thing.

farss wrote on 8/13/2006, 6:21 AM

There's a number of filing cabinet like systems of interlocking draws that are pretty good for hanging CD/DVDs. As your storage needs grow you just buy more draws and lonk them together. Of course I usually find with all thse great ideas by the time I need more they're no longer made.

As for a way to find the material, spreadsheet is enough for me so far but it's getting kind of unwieldy, soon need to build my own database I think.

Bob.