The Geek Book

[den68]

I'm sure there are better and more technologically sophisticated methods available but this is my simple pocket size method of keeping track when I'm out game hunting.

I'm still pretty good about remembering what I have but it's nice to have a list at hand.

How do you keep track?

[Tynstar]

See the thread that I made about a collecting tool. I just print out that spread sheet . No really pocket size but it works. I keep it in a file folder,

[Arrrhalomynn]

I use the awesome power of my BRAIN, but then again, I don't have 2000 games and I'm a picky buyer.

[Lord Nepenthean]

Good work, Anthony.  Maybe I should actually pay attention for more than two seconds in the future.

[den68]

See the thread that I made about a collecting tool. I just print out that spread sheet . No really pocket size but it works. I keep it in a file folder,

oh I grabbed that excel file you posted, that's a nice set up. I've a pretty good method of tracking at home but it's 8.5X11. I used to carry that to flea markets but I really wanted something small. I keep this little sucker tucked in the sun visor in my car and just shove it in my pocket when I make a stop.

[den68]

I use the awesome power of my BRAIN, but then again, I don't have 2000 games and I'm a picky buyer.

I could do that at 2000 but now that I'm nearly double that it's getting tough.

[Izret101]

I'm at almost 300 so i don't really have to worry about getting games i already own. I am also a picky buyer though so alot of times i see a bout 40 games i REALLY want but pass them up for better opportunities.
Anyways i generally scribble down games i want on a scrap piece of paper as i write down more and more games i move the scrap to a better piece of paper which is usually useless by then because i already remembered what i am looking for.
The only time i carry a list on me is when i am doing price comparisons or it is a system i know very little about. Like i did with CD-i and Pico (BTW i never ended up buying anything for either of these systems if anyone wants to know.)

[Lord Nepenthean]

Den, did you actually sit there and write out every single title for all of those consoles?  Or do you just list which games you actually have?  From the way you have some titles crossed out, I'd have to guess the former is the case.  Looks like it does the job nicely in a portable format, but I imagine that took a while to copy down.

[Izret101]

Looks like he just has down the games he needs and crosses them out as he gets them see his 2nd page.
Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong 3

[Tynstar]

That Excel file can be loaded onto a PDA. |D I didnt do that because I won't spend that much on a PDA.

[Antimind]

I actually have some checklists I got off DP before they got the new game lists up - pdf format. I printed them up and have em all nice and neat in alphabetical order in a  heavy duty plastic report cover. Just fill in the lil box next to the title with some black ink and done. I feel like an ass sometimes carrying it around with me though.

On that note, I really hope a decent organizer type deal comes out for the DS. Hopefully with the capability to synch with pc. That would be awesome, to store game lists on a DS

[Lord Nepenthean]

I still think Den's method is probably the best of any of these options.  PDA's and the potential of DS's are bad because then you announce to thrift store owners, flea market people, and yard sale people that you have money.  You may as well wear a suit, tie, and gold watch.  LOOK POOR.  You'll get a better deal.  I'm not saying that a notebook makes you poor, but it doesn't announce that you have money to own hundreds or thousands of games.  I always wear busted up work boots and old clothes when I go to these places.  Trust me: you'll get a better price from these places than if you look like you've got a wad of Benjamin's in your wallet.

Plus, with a PDA or DS, or even a big binder, you announce that this stuff is important to you and worth paying good money for.  A pocket notebook is a lot more inconspicuous and easier to hide.  That way, acting disinterested in games is a lot easier, and people will offer a lower price as an incentive to get you to buy.  As long as you're a "collector" to people at flea markets and yard sales, you'll pay more.  But if they think you're just looking at some old junk you might pick up if it is cheap enough, you'll save some dough.

Telling GameStop Bob you're a collector may not be a bad idea.  Telling Flea Market Bob you're a collector is the worst thing you can do.

[Tynstar]

I agree with Nep. When I go into a game store I will take my list folder in with me. The prices are already marked so it doesn't matter if I have my list or not.

When I go to thrifts stores, yard sales, or swap meets I dress "poor" and I have my list in the car. I know most of the stuff I have but if I need to I can go look at my list in the car.

Really no matter how you keep your list the fact that you have a list will tell people you like games.

[Sauza12]

I've been looking for a good portable method like that, but nothing has really seemed right so far.  I usually bring my DP and VGB guides with me, but that is pretty bulky.  Luckily for me (I guess) I don't have too many games, so It's not hard to keep mental track of things, so sometimes I just leave my guides in the car.

[den68]

Den, did you actually sit there and write out every single title for all of those consoles?  Or do you just list which games you actually have?  From the way you have some titles crossed out, I'd have to guess the former is the case.  Looks like it does the job nicely in a portable format, but I imagine that took a while to copy down.

no, I just wrote down the ones I didn't have. the only ones that took awhile were PSX, Genesis, NES, SNES, and Atari 2600. Not all the consoles I have are in there either, just the ones that turn up the most and whatever else fit. I still trust my memory for CD-i, Turbografx 16, 3DO and such. I haven't run across that stuff in the wild to often.

I do have printed lists like Antimind that I keep at home. They are getting pretty roughed up just checking them at home, they'd be toast if I carried them around. Same goes goes for a PDA, I'm sure I would have broken it by now. I also agree with Nep's assessment of how that would look in a thrift or flea.