Over the years, you’ve probably acquired a pretty decent collection of software. There are the software restore disks that came with your new computer, the operating system upgrade you purchased a year later, the word processor you used to use, the word processor you currently use, etc. It isn’t uncommon to have 50 or more CDs from different pieces of software.
For most people, these CDs are all stuck in a drawer somewhere. This is fine, but as the number of CDs grows, you’ll eventually need to stash the incoming disks somewhere else and it is easy to lose track of where everything is kept. Worse, the packaging is different for each piece of software, so they don’t really fit well in just a desk drawer.
Here is my solution. I went out and bought a CD holder like what you would keep in your car. It holds nearly 100 CDs and has a little external folder that I can use to carry around CDs if I don’t need the entire folder.
I take each CD out of the original packaging and put it in the CD folder. This saves a lot of space and means I can go to one place to locate any piece of software I need.
Important: Most software comes with a key code. Without the keycode you cannot install the software. You must record the keycode before you throw away the extra CD packaging. I like to write the code directly on the disk using a sharpie. Just make sure you have something that will permanently write on the CD before you throw away the code. (I also keep a backup of the code in a file, just in case).
I do the very things that you are suggesting to condense the amount of purchased CD software. Also, I maintain a spreadsheet that has serial numbers, software names, and websites of all the software – even ones that I download. I store that document on the web and on a off-site CD. Additionally I use a CD cataloging software to index the volumes of data backups CDs and DVD that I have accumulated. Those are kept in a CD wallet and numbered incrementally so if I need to find a file I just have to retrieve the media that houses the searched for file to get my data. It is impractical to keep all my data on the hard drive all the time and this is an easy solution for me.
I do something similar, though I found it problematic writing the code directly on the CD. Most of the time, when the code is needed, the CD is in the drive doing its thing. ;) I’ve taken to writing the code on a label and sticking it to the sleeve that holds the CD.
I use a solution I find much simpler; apt-get.
;)
@Ian – I run into the problem of the CD being in the drive when I need to read it, but I feel it is much safer to have it written on the CD itself just in case I lose the piece of paper the code is written on.
@Mattias – I agree, I like apt-get as well. Unfortunately there is still a lot of software that just isn’t available on linux.
This is a great idea. I keep buying cheap CD holders that stack up on my desk and under it. I might even take the same inserts and actually file them in my filing cabinet.
I use an old CDR spindle to keep all of my software CDs. Over time, with enough software, backups, etc. you’ll run out of room in the expensive CD holders. The spindles are cheap, easy to come by and hold hundreds of CDs.
Great tip! I’ve been using this process for year’s. Come in handy when you’re upgrading or need to reinstall software. It’s also great for backup photo cd’s…everything all in one place.
In addition to writing the key on the disk, I’d recommend keeping a master list of all your keys. I used to keep it in a notepad file on my desktop, but have since switched to a slick piece of software called CDKeyper.
I keep all CD’s in handy IKEA cardboard drawers on my bookshelf. They’re just the right size in which to stand CD’s.
The code I write in permanent marker on the CD cover, inside.
This program looks interesting, may be worth a look:
http://www.download.com/CDTree-Standard/3000-2248_4-10235770.html?tag=pub
Cheers,
Thea