I know that CDs and DVDs are rapidly becoming obsolete. That's probably why it's so hard to find software that will index and catalog them.

Years ago, I was the "disk librarian" for a Macintosh user group when 3-/12" disks were the standard. I used software to index, catalog and print out information on the various pieces of software (shareware, trialware, etc.) that we would offer to our members.

I have a large collection of photos, videos, music files, tax records and so on, stored on CDs. I'd like to keep a searchable catalog of my disks, and I'm having a hard time finding something that suits my needs.

I'd prefer Macintosh, free/shareware or free trial, automatic indexing (reads the disk when it is inserted) and allows for searching using multiple terms, wildcards, etc.

I found free program for Windows called Cathy that might do the trick. It doesn't auto-read, but failing to find something else, I might find an old Windows computer for this purpose.

Suggestions?

You might look at Jriver Media Center.
I rip all my CD's and that is what use.
I have about 600 CD's done so far.
Keeps track of everything and I can stream them anytime I want.
Mine is Windows but they do Mac too.

Wouldn’t a spreadsheet work? A row for each disk. Columns for composer, performer, genre, physical storage location, etc.