The solution for a chip identification system lies NOT in an elaborate global numbering scheme, but in a computerized database with a good search engine that can find any chip, according to any criteria, without any number attached to it at all. We aren't there yet, but it's not far off to have a portable library of your chips, including scanned images that you can carry around, as well as have on your home computer. (Actually, it's doable today with a laptop, just not real convenient to carry around at a chip show.) Of course, the search engine can only return results based on what's entered in the first place, but if a good description is set up and entered, the ability to search and cross-reference will be superior ot any numbering system that might be devised.

Think of Greg's website, which is easily searchable without knowing a single "CG" number. Or think of the versatility of searching on eBay under the "chips" category (or the whole site) without any number codes to enter. THAT'S the chip I.D. model of the future.

In the meantime, individual authors can create and maintain systems for certain geographic locales -- TCR for Nevada; Black's for AC; Pollack for Caribbean.