Do you throw away or keep tags and boxes that come with products you buy? 

More organizing topics

I've heard stories of how people have gotten gifts that became such a hit (a pacifier for a baby, or a toy for a kid or pet), and then they want another copy or a replacement once it's lost, broken or worn out. Problem is, nobody remembers where it was bought or who made it. The box or tags were thrown away right away, so that's no help.

Surely the solution isn't keeping all those tags and boxes?

Nope, but if you have a digital camera, you've got an inexpensive way of keeping copies of what's written on the tags or boxes.

Just find out how to use the macro function if your camera has that. Review the photos once you've taken them to make sure the flash didn't make hotspots that obliterated the text. I also set the resolution smaller for those photos (640x480 should be enough). I've found that even my cell phone camera will make legible photos of text (but be sure to test yours specifically. Mine is rumored to be better than most at macro photos) - but not small type. And of course, make sure you have backup that will last, so you don't lose your photos. Also, you may want to archive those photos a bit differently than other photos - say a folder for tags and boxes?

You know, I think we should use digital cameras a lot more. I use mine (a 4 megapixel one) to photograph text if I don't have access to a camera. It's a good tool for documenting stuff when you're on the move. I don't bother finding a xerox machine or manually copying stuff anymore as long as I've got my digicam with me. Even my old 1.3 megapixel camera did duty that way, but the new one will make far better printouts (because of the bigger resolution) if needed.

I'll give you an example of a great use of a digicam. If you get access to old books with important information (such as genealogy or other history) but can't take them with you, it's often easier to snap a picture than find a xerox machine. But watch out for librarians if you're using flash... A window and existing light might be a better idea...