Can you use one library for two computers? (XP and a Mac)

[sman789]

The XP machine has the iTunes library one the C: drive and music stored on an external. I just picked up a Mac and would like to be able to use the same library file to keep ratings and playlist intact. Syncing my iPhone with both machines would be a great thing too. I know it will involve network sharing and writing permissions and whatnot. Every guide i've found on google only has one type of computer or they only explain how to set up library sharing in iTunes.

[Ice-Cube]

You cannot access the same iTunes library on 2 different OS. The file structure is different for that to work.

[tjwsea]

Is there a recommended "clean" way to transfer or modify that Windows iTunes library so the playlists, purchased music, & other info remains intact and can be read from an external harddrive by MacBook? (And so leaving the old library behind, or no longer accessible by iTunes for Windows)