MMREED -

Any chance of making a Mac-compatible version of your software sometime?

I literally perform the same 4-5 routines all of the time. I know so so so many card routines, coin routines, etc. But when I'm working, it's always the same 4-5 that I carry with me. As far as remembering, the obscure routines just seem to come out at 1am or 2am while at a diner with other magicians...you ALL know exactly what I mean. While working at the Trump Plaza Casino on NYE, I literally did 3 tricks all night and made a KILLING in tips in addition to my pay.

Also, most of my tricks come from my extensive library so anytime I pick up a book I usually say "Ah! Yes, I forgot about that one!"

Great topic by the way! Also, Billy McComb gave advice on his Greater Magic DvD about keeping routines in Ziplock baggies. I do this and it keeps everything very organized in the close up case!

Michael Ammar has a great form in his book that covers this very topic

Like Jeff Hass above, I put everything in an excel spreadsheet template that I use for each effect and show. Credit goes to Michael Ammar and his book "The Magic of Michael Ammar". The spreadsheets are categorized with color tabs. There are a number of lines to add data and I include everything related to the effect including a line for "Resources" where I can list DVD's, books, etc. for more background info.

Unlike Jeff though, I don't use any Post-it notes... since they can be easily lost and misplaced, I print up a number of 'comment sheets' that include the date, time, reference, DVD number, and note lines for new data as they relate to the effect/project/show. As changes are made or as I make edits, I modify the comment sheets and ad a new entry - it's basically a diary of the effect/show so you can review your past idea's on the topic. Lastly, I video a number of effects and put them on DVD. The DVD number is listed on the template and the comment sheets.

After you designed your first template the format is easy to use and print out; in addition you can easily scan the finished 'diary' in the computer using a searchable PDF format for a more long term record. Generally, I don't enter everything in my computer as I don't have the time even though I do this for some effects.

Like others have said, its a little work, but in the long term it has helped me to not 'reinvent the wheel' with idea's and concepts. The historical knowledge is also appreciated as we all grow over the years and look at things differently with time; this alone has helped me a number of times.