Hi Wayne,

I have also thought of using a palm pilot for when I am out and about, (although with my modest collection it would be a list of what I need not what I have). I thought a database would be the best program to use, but I did not find any programs that seemed to right for my requirements. Can you tell me what you are using?
Thanks
Dior

Our PDA also contains wants lists and other documents with information convenient to have at hand.

For various reasons, we just use plain old Microsoft Word. This is converted to Palm form through DataViz Documents to Go.

Wayne

So... how many collectors here have smart phones now (a phone with a web browser in it)?

I must say, having one available when I am out shopping not only means that I can have access to Amazon, addall.com, eBay, and other sites to check availability and prices, but also it is sort of what I envision the Guide moving towards as an online resource.

And I love all the posts about moving your collections! I haven't moved in years now, but before this house I used to move at least once a year (renter in a very volatile market.) Thankfully all of the moves were quite local and I had access to both places for a while, so I could carefully pack a few boxes at a time and carry them myself from one place to another.

I remember the horror of moving very well. I must have moved over 25 times in the last 10 years; the worst being coming back from Greece to Belgium and moving over 1000 Tolkien books... It was completely out of my hands and I did spent weeks to prepare it. I was very happy to see them all arrive in good shape and quickly released them from the horrible boxes. Still, because of lack of space I do sometimes have to store a lot of books in boxes... and so the last years I did sell over 1000 books and am concentrating to sell of the large volume and exchange them for better quality items.

There is lots to say about moving books, but also a lot on how to put them on shelves, how to handle them, insurance, exhibiting, etc. There is a lot we can learn from older collectors, so please any topic that can teach us something, don't hold back and talk about it here!

Thank you (Wayne) for taking the time to satisfy my curiousity! Two rooms you say? That must be two of those special US rooms!

The use of technology for book lists etc should really be another topic I feel; although I hate to throw the breaks on when everyone is posting so voluminously. Stay on topic Jeremy!...

Your right Beren, this topic could really lead on to a more full discussion of storage/protection of collections (which I'm sure we've discussed before...) I really couldn't imagine moving as many times as you have; particularly when you collection (even at that time) was so large. Nightmare stuff...

BH