Odd that you should bring this up right now. I'm planning a bar-coding systems for the archaeology collections at the University of Alaska Museum to be used in conjunction with our 4th Dimension database management system. I do not plan to bar code every artifact! Instead, I'll use bar coding on collections containers, i.e. drawers, boxes, display cases, etc. In operation, piece-by-piece inventory will still be by catalog number organized by physical location, but I will use bar-coding to keep track of the contents of drawers and such, and as a management tool when collections are moved, consolidated, stabilized, loaned, etc. Mind you, I haven't accomplished this lofty system, but this is my approach at present. Mike Lewis University of Alaska Museum