Book storage: I don't even want to know how many! Oh the guilt.
I've put all my recipes and old files on the computer. I have added many recipes saved to my own files from various websites (in Text, not Web so I can access them offline). And now I scan in text from magazines or cookbooks.
Scanner: I have a flatbed type that allows easy scanning from books as well as flat sheets and magazines (HP, only c. $50). This allows me to scan any recipe I use or think I'll use into my files Just be sure to get one with a removable lid (that usually covers the light) to make it easier to copy a page in a book.
Retrival: The advantage of this for me is that my Word Perfect processor includes a QuickFinder system. With a few mouse clicks I can set my computer in search of any word that appears in any recipe. It brings up a list of every document on the computer containing that word regardless of what program it's in. This means that unless I wish to do so, I can leave the ones saved from websites in that form (or format them into WP if that's more convenient) and still access them offline. I believe QuickFinder is available as free standing software, if you use another processor. I find it works better than many of the website search engines.
This is particularly useful as I spend a lot of time out of town and often cook then, too, so take my laptop with me. It's as though I am taking my library with me. Also, by scanning useful cookbook recipes into the computer, even when I am going to use one at home I merely print it out (or take the computer into the kitchen).
I find it a workable system. It helps eliminate wondering where I saw a particular recipe and keeps my cookbooks clean. For the most part only Joy lives in the kitchen.  |