I need to show a set of N items to the user, but I can render comfortably only M. (M ~ 20, N ~ 1000). The user then can select one or more of these items and then move on to the next stage. I need to be able to indicate the items already selected.
One approach that comes to mind is what Facebook does when you have to choose among your friends: they show you a bunch, and those already selected are shown as disabled. Your collection of selected friends is shown in a smaller container.
Any ideas on how to do this elegantly, without pagination?