> Oft hand topic:
>
> * * * I have burned around 250 to 300 cd's and
> dvd's of podcast, pdf's, and pictures . . . . [too] many
> many files to keep organized in my head . . .. * * *
> Do any of you know of some software, or clever method,
> to get a grip on all the files I have. * * *
One well-reviewed product for msWindows (XP) based machines is the so far still no fee Google "desktop" catalog/search program
http://www.desktop.google.com/
although it has also been the subject of security/privacy preservation alrums! though far from under all conditions (re. which, see, e.g., http://blogs.pcworld.com/staffblog/archives/000262.html and http://news.com.com/2100-1002_3-6041338.html ).
Yahoo and MSN make available similar products, and there are of course any number of for-fee commercial ones, too, re. which see generally:
http://reviews.cnet.com/Google_Desktop_Search/4505-3684_7-31153475-2.html?tag=nav