Richard Pennycuick wrote:

>Probably the most elegant solution was one used by, IIRC, Walter, who
>gives each CD an accession number and files them in this way, simply adding
>to the end of the shelf without having to re-arrange things as I must, but
>has the disadvantage of needing to access the database to find a particular
>CD. I think that for most of us, a system we can live with is essential.

For home, I have everything in manufacturer order.  At work (I oversee a
library collection) I chose accession order for CDs, Cassettes, LPs and
videos.  For the 78s, we use manufacturer order, since we rely on the
Rigler Deutsch Index which includes manufacturer numbers.

I usually recommend accession order if the collection is likely to exceed
5,000 items, manufacturer order if less or if the collector is obsessive
compulsive and likes to have the spines look similar on each range.

I do recommend including the manufacturer number in any database of
recordings.  It can easily keep one from ordering duplicate recordings and
a manufacturer list is usually small enough to be stored in a hand held
computer...handy when one is out shopping.

Karl