Sharing iTunes library between two Users

[GrandMan]

Hey everyone,

There are two users on my iMac running Tiger. I would like to have one iTunes library that is updated on both users when something new is added.

Example :

User 1 adds new album to library - Album is added to library on User 2's side.

Is this possible?

Thanks in advance!

Laurence

[WildCowboy]

Create a Music folder in ~/Users/Shared and point both users' iTunes apps to use that folder (iTunes --> Preferences --> Advanced --> General).

[Scottyk9]

Originally Posted by GrandMan

Hey everyone,

There are two users on my iMac running Tiger. I would like to have one iTunes library that is updated on both users when something new is added.

Example :

User 1 adds new album to library - Album is added to library on User 2's side.

Is this possible?

Thanks in advance!

Laurence

User 1 - logged in, iTunes running, sharing enabled
User 2 - shares user 1 iTunes
Will only work if all music is added by User 1
Not sure if this is what you are looking for, but it does work (use it to stream music over airport express, while listening to other music at the computer)

[GrandMan]

Thanks for the concise and speedy reply

[Scottyk9]

Originally Posted by WildCowboy

Create a Music folder in ~/Users/Shared and point both users' iTunes apps to use that folder (iTunes --> Preferences --> Advanced --> General).

hey, that sounds like a better idea...

[WildCowboy]

Originally Posted by Scottyk9

hey, that sounds like a better idea...

Yep, it's how my fianceé and I do it on an iBook that we share...works beautifully.

[R.Youden]

Why can we do this with iTunes but not iPhoto?

[orbital~debris]

I currently have the same setup (1 library stored in the Shared folder, with 2 iTunes in different user accounts pointed at it) and it works OK if you remember to periodically 'Add To Library' in both accounts. This method allows you to have separate playlists & ratings etc.

The only disadvantage I have found (and still have not resolved ) is that something to do with this method has caused iTunes to not work in my girlfriend's account for things like playing music in iPhoto slideshows… The tracks are visible, but simply refuse to play when double-clicked.

Anyone else had the same problem? Any ideas how to fix it?

[Oryan]

Originally Posted by R.Youden

Why can we do this with iTunes but not iPhoto?

You should be able to change the iPhoto library by editing the plist file in (username) > Library > Preferences > com.apple.iPhoto.plist

The property is called RootDirectory. You will have to manually copy your files to the new directory though.

edit- ok, this doesn't quite work. Once you change the RootDirectory path, you have to relaunch iPhoto and use it's prompt to create a new directory in Users/Shared. Then copy your old library to the new folder that was created.

[GrandMan]

Originally Posted by orbital~debris

I currently have the same setup (1 library stored in the Shared folder, with 2 iTunes in different user accounts pointed at it) and it works OK if you remember to periodically 'Add To Library' in both accounts. This method allows you to have separate playlists & ratings etc.

Will I still have to manually add to library what is added on the other user?

[orbital~debris]

Originally Posted by GrandMan

Will I still have to manually add to library what is added on the other user?

Yes you will, but if you just remember to do it every now & then, it only takes a few seconds.
The main advantage is that it's cool to be able to have your own playlists & ratings, yet still both have all the same music available.
Again, the downside is that it seems to break integration with other iLife apps… I still have no idea how to fix it (having tried quite a lot!)