[Hidden-tech] music collection management

[Stacy Kontrabecki]

So my 300 CDs have been taking up space on my office floor for 3 years 
b/c I don't know how to deal with them. Looking for recommendations.

I have:

    * 1 Macbook Pro for work that my iPhone 3GS 32 GB is connected to
      through iTunes - maybe 20 albums of music is synced to the phone.
      14 GB free on the phone.
    * 5 year old Dell laptop restored to factory settings that I only
      use for occasional GPS points downloading.
    * iTV -not used for media access currently since media is still on disc!
    * External drive I back up my Macbook to. Additional PC formatted
      160 GB external drive not being used.
    * What is the best way to get these CDs ripped and accessible? I
      don't want to store the music on my work computer hard drive.


Options I've considered:

   1. Purchase another external Mac drive just for music, create 2nd
      directory (?) on Macbook iTunes (I need to sync my photos &
      contacts to the Mac still) referencing the music I store on the
      external & sync it to some new MP3 player.
   2. Install the music to the Dell (via USB vs. Mac firewire) and use
      the existing PC external drive to sync to an MP3 player.
   3. Retire the 3GS to iPod status and update my phone?
   4. Crawl into a hole with my vinyl albums and turntable, swearing off
      new technology.

Before the iPod/Phone/MP3 phenomenon, I bought a slew of CD sleeves and 
binders that I was going to shrink the size of my collection down to. 
That never happened. May still do this for "backup" so I can trash the 
jewel cases once I figure out the dilemma outlined above.

I so need the real estate in my office and miss playing my music, too.

Thanks for your recommendations in advance.

Stacy



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