First up, please know that I've done some searching around this, and other forums and got some good info but I'd like to hear specifics from experienced users...
I'm in the process of ripping all my CDs to Apple Lossless and will run out of storage on my desktop machine before I finish. I want to set up a network storage solution, preferably a dual-drive so I won't have to worry about backups.
My questions are:
1) Airport Extreme (w/USB drive) vs NAS - what do you use, what are the advantages?
2) Ripping - is there mojo involved, an alias, etc., to get my desktop Mac to do all future rips to the server?
3) iPhoto - while I'm at it, can I designate the server as the destination/location for my iPhoto Library?
4) Sharing & Non-Mac Streaming - will it be easy for other Macs on my network to stream my music? What about photos? Is it just as easy for other users to have their libraries on the same server and just as sharable?
5) Macs off but wanna rock - Is there a reasonably affordable solution that would allow browsing and streaming music to my stereo without a computer on?
Thanks.
I'm in the process of ripping all my CDs to Apple Lossless and will run out of storage on my desktop machine before I finish. I want to set up a network storage solution, preferably a dual-drive so I won't have to worry about backups.
My questions are:
1) Airport Extreme (w/USB drive) vs NAS - what do you use, what are the advantages?
2) Ripping - is there mojo involved, an alias, etc., to get my desktop Mac to do all future rips to the server?
3) iPhoto - while I'm at it, can I designate the server as the destination/location for my iPhoto Library?
4) Sharing & Non-Mac Streaming - will it be easy for other Macs on my network to stream my music? What about photos? Is it just as easy for other users to have their libraries on the same server and just as sharable?
5) Macs off but wanna rock - Is there a reasonably affordable solution that would allow browsing and streaming music to my stereo without a computer on?
Thanks.