Originally posted by Gallagher:
@scurvey The following are good habits to get into:
1. After battle, use your lockpicker/breaker to open every thing in town.
2. Go to Strategic screen. Open the sector Inventory and dole out equipment, reload weapons(etc.).
3. If there are items grayed-out, you know where they are on the map. If it's something you want, then go back to Tactical and plan on keeping yourself from being seen taking the item.

You would not want to get caught with your hand in the proverbial cookie jar.
Plus, more efficiency in handling equipment should give you more time for battles!

In fact, when I play the original JA2 now, I use cheats to Teleport around the sector and show items... nothing nefarious, but it does speed things up considerably. Have fun, compadre!