Groqit: a new way to keep tabs on your stuff
Those people who copy DVDs need not apply, but if you've purchased tons of DVDs, there's now a nifty way to keep them all in your pocket.
It's a simple product called Groqit that reads, stores, and organizes barcodes and therefore is able to keep tabs on any barcode-based inventory (which extends to most consumer products, such as books, DVDs, and so on).
This battery-operated device is shaped like a pen and incorporates a little scanner. Once a barcode is scanned, it's kept within the device's 128MB built-in storage and you can assign it to a category for better management. The device can store more than a million barcodes.
The idea is that by keeping this "pen," you can immediately check to see if you have already purchased a product and therefore are less likely to buy a duplicate.
The device can work independently or can be used with a Mac or PC computer--via an USB connection--to connect to Groqit's Web site, where you can sync the device's data base with your account and translate the barcodes into the real products' names and information.
Groqit costs $95 and comes with 30 days or 300 free translations, whichever comes first. After that, you'll have pay $4.95 a month for the translation service. Another advantage of the Web site is that you can share the inventory with friends or family members so that you won't buy them something they already have and vice versa.
Personally, I think this is a cool device, though I do believe that if you have more stuff than you can remember, chances are it's time for a garage sale. Even then, Groqit definitely will still come in handy to organize successful sales. The best thing is if you have two Groqits--they'll keep tab of each other and you are guaranteed not to accidentally buy a third one.
Dong Ngo is a CNET editor who covers networking and network storage, and writes about anything else he finds interesting. You can also listen to his podcast at insidecnetlabs.cnet.com. E-mail Dong. 
If you give or get gifts, you can use the FREE services at Groqit's site to share lists with friends.
Even if you know every single game you've got -- does your uncle? The one who might be getting you a present, and might get you something boring if he doesn't know for sure which stuff you've already got....?
Groqit's site has tools that are free for anyone, whether they purchase a Groqit or not. They help you fill in information about books, movie, music and games (you put in a title, or a barcode number, the site's data bases fill in the rest). You can put in a wishlist for books you want, one for games you want, and make lists of the movies you already have so they don't worry about surprising you with a new one. You can make as many lists as you want, 100 items per list, free, and share them with as many friends as you want (also free).
So your lists are all in one place, and your friends can look them up whenever your birthday is coming up.
FOR COLLECTORS:
For people who are serious collectors -- and there are a lot of us -- just the word INSURANCE should conjure up some thoughts. The services are mostly free. They are very helpful for large collections, as the tools reduce the drudgery of data entry. We store the data securely on our servers, just in case you ever need it. This is true of the free (100 items per list) services as well as the paid ones.
We encourage people use to the free services; we know some will want the convenience and portability, and buy themselves a Groqit.