File sharing with multiple users on one Mac

I have two Macs, both of which ca seen each other across the network. My question regards file sharing with multiple users on the same computer. When file sharing, are the files from all users available across the network, or just those of the user presently logged in? The issue is that I am trying to access files from a user who isn't currently logged in, but another user on that computer is. I need to get into that person's documents, but I don't see a way to navigate to their documents folder.

Right, I got that. But the computer is in constant use by User A, while I need access to User B's files. I could need access at anytime, and it would be a pain to make User A log off and log in as User B everytime. I was just wondering if there is anyway to access User B's files in this situation, without logging User B in.

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File Sharing with Multiple Users

I wanted to set up file sharing on a Mac Mini for a group of Windows users. There are two things I wanted to do with this.
1. Have a folder with a list of commonly used files and folders for the users to access.
2. Push a backup of certain files that belong to individual users to the Mini for backup. I don't want one user to have access to another user's files on the Mac Mini.
Is there a preferred method of setting something like this up? Do I create users as Sharing Only users? I'm used to Windows server shares, where I specify the access on a folder level basis. I'm not sure how to do this within OS X. Maybe I'm thinking about this all wrong. Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

Each user with access to the Mac would have access to its public folder. That would work for one of your tasks.
It would be no problem to set up a folder for each user on the Mac. Not so sure about the push part. They'd probably need to pull.
Your main task will be to get the basic sharing going for the PCs. Fortunately, as things are todsy under Leopard and Snow Leopard, that's easier that the other way. I am hoping that the PCs all are running Vista or Win7. What are they running?

File sharing with another user on a Mac

Dear Guru,
I am trying to add my wife on my Macbook as another user with Admin privilege. And I also want to share certain files in a folder with her. This folder was shared (following the instructions from the internet) and was moved under a "Public" folder under me (as an user). And of course, this "Public" folder was also marked "shared". But when my wife cannot see this folder from her side after logging in. Can someone tell me why? What did I do wrong?
James

There's a simpler way to do this.   OS X automatically creates a user folder called "Shared".   Look in Mac HD > Users > Shared.
This user account (folder) and any files or folders you save there are available to all users on the Mac. It's the quickest way to copy, move or share files across accounts on the same Mac.   There is no need to turn on File Sharing or otherwise specify shared folders.
One note: although the /users/Shared folder itself has full Read & Write permission for all users, OS X file permissions are still operative on any files or folders you put there yourself.   Often by default, documents and other files you create will have a "Read Only" permission for the group "everyone."   You may need or want to change the file or folder permission for "everyone" to Read & Write if you want other users on your Mac to be able to directly edit that particular document or file.   This is easy enough to do in GetInfo.

ITunes sharing with multiple users on one iMac

I have a sizeable library that I would like to consolidate on our new iMac and allow four users (my family) to use the one library in their respective iTunes. There was a post last year for a solution to use aliases to accomplish this and I followed the steps as best I could. It sort of worked but I must have started with my iTunes library in a different location because it didn't work out as easily as the article shows.
http://discussions.apple.com/post!reply.jspa?messageID=10283304
In order for the music to show up in iTunes even for the first user account, I had to "add" the music to library from the new location (the alias) essentially creating a new library. I guess that is due to the location of the extra files (e.g. library, extras, etc.). For the above method to work, where exactly do the library files (not the actual music files) need to be? Also, is there a way to use that folder called "Automatically Add to iTunes?" And lastly how do I reset some features, like playlists, using Time Machine? There doesn't seem to be much info into the advanced use and trouble shooting of iTunes.
I appreciate any help someone can provide.

Thanks but that doesn't really answer any of my questions. That method does not allow you to add songs from any account. You still have to manage multiple "library" files, add songs to the library manually for each user, and you end up with duplicate songs. The method that is linked in my previous post is a great one, I just need to know where the library files go in relation to the actual songs (meaning inside or outside of the iTunes folder). I guess I need to know how iTunes is set up "out of the box" since I have moved some stuff around and the data files and the music files are in different folders than they were (or would be) in a new installation.

HT201342 File Sharing with multiple devices

How can we file share with multiple iPads from the Mac in the classroom? I've used instashare and it works really well, but to share with 25+ iPads would be quite time consuming. Is there a way to send to all in one go?

Right, I got that. But the computer is in constant use by User A, while I need access to User B's files. I could need access at anytime, and it would be a pain to make User A log off and log in as User B everytime. I was just wondering if there is anyway to access User B's files in this situation, without logging User B in.

File sharing across multiple user accounts on the same machine

Hello,
I try to figure out how multiple users (my wife and I) on the same mac can have equal access to files on the local drive without granting that access to all users on that machine or even the rest of the world.
My research sofar hasn't come up with a satisfying solution. Here are the solutions that I am looking at:
1. Enable a permission system that ensures access to both users in all cases (file/directory creation, copy and move).
I only found a suitable solution for creating and copying files/directories but not for moving them.
See the following articles for reference:
https://discussions.apple.com/message/20787617#20787617 Setting up a shared structure that works e.g. for iPhoto Library but not for moving files to and from
https://discussions.apple.com/message/4005647#4005647 Helpful information on POSIX Permissions, ACL's an Permission inheritance
This would be my first choice if I can get around the problem of moving files...
2. Disk Image
Create a disk image which ignores persmissions and set permissions for the file that contains the image instead.
Read this article to get further details: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1198
This solution will work but has a few disadvatages:
There's no mutual access from multiple user accounts since an image may only be mounted by one user at a time.
One has to create a startup script that mounts the image upon login which would create a first come first serve for access to the image content.
3. Using a file sharing protocol (e.g. afp or smb) locally.
The idea behind it is to have a server providing the files mutually to multiple users one the same machine. At them moment this seems to be the most promising approach to me.
Unfortunately I can get acces from another machine but not from the same machine. Has anyone ever tried to access the file sharing (afp or smb) from the same machine on which the server is located?
Has anyone got some helpful hints for me?
Thanks in advance.

Sorry, but you didn't specify details, and it was worth checking whether or not you had overlooked this approach.
The problem you're having (as I suppose you already know) is that any new disk item inherits the permissions of the folder it is originally created in in. These permissions (sensibly enough) need owner or administrator permission to change once they've been established; that will happen when you copy a file to a new location (because that's essentially creating a new file) but not when you move it. any of the following would work:
changing the permissions on newly created files for both users so that they all explicitly give r/w access to a particular group.
writing a droplet that would change the permissions of files dropped on it and move them programmatically to the shared folder
set up a folder action or launchd job that would watch the shared folder and automatically convert permissions on files placed in it.
The last would be the approach I would take, but... which appeals to you?

Is Screen Sharing with multiple users possible?

I am trying to discuss some documents with multiple users. It works very well with just two users sharing the screen of one of them, so I was wondering if there was a way to have a third user participating. If iChat does not allow this, does anyone know a different software solution?
Thanks
Christian

Hi,
No. (Not in iChat)
And I have not heard of anything either.
10:39 PM Friday; October 22, 2010
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

Personal File Sharing with Fast User Switiching

I have 2 users set up on the iBook. I want file sharing turned on for only one of the users and off for the other. Both are logged in.
Any way to do this?
It appears that personal file sharing is either on or off for all users.

As far as i know either the AFP daemon is on or is off - for all users.. You can disable the Public share for a user if oyu like by using netinfo or SHarepoints but you cant turn off sharing for a user. If you have AFP active they can login. Now there may be away with some shell commands to add som config to this and disable on a user level but i havent seen it mentioned naywhere - or requested for that matter.

ICal sharing with multiple users on same computer

How can i set up iCal to share with multiple users on the same computer?

yes, BUT... you need a central repository for the master calendars, usually referred to a Calendar Server. If you are not using a Mac OS X Server on your private network, I think you can use web-based servers that use standard calendar protocol.
Mac 101: iCal

Sharing photos between multiple users on one Mac

I'm trying to figure out how to easily share photos imported in by one user to other users in my family on my mac. I'm assuming we don't have to import them multiple times. It seems cumbersome to this new mac user to share them. I find the issue with iTunes. Any help?

HI Darien,
Here are all the links I have for the different kinds of sharing:
SHARING IPHOTO LIBRARIES
Sharing libraries between users on the same local network
You can also share a library on the same machine between users the same way.
Sharing libraries between users on the same machine...
-both users must have sharing enabled in their iPhoto Preferences
-both users must be logged in and have iPhoto running
-Remember that you can only view the other library. You can't edit the photos or play the saved slideshows or view the made books or burn them to CD or DVD. The books and slideshows will show up as an album. You can play that album as an "on the fly" slideshow. You can drag images from the sharing library to your library in the source column to import them to your library. You can then edit, add to albums, books, slideshow, etc.
Sharing links from Apple....
Sharing your photos between computers
About shared photos
Turning off photo sharing
Looking for shared photos
SHARING ONE IPHOTO LIBRARY BETWEEN USERS ON SAME MACHINE
You can try one of these three methods:
1- Use iPhoto Library Manager-the paid version
The documentation page will give instructions on how it is done.
2- Sharing one iPhoto library between several users on one machine
3- Share an iPhoto Library in tiger Using ACL's
4- I have also read about ShareAlike
There is no other info on the site about how it works.
I strongly urge anyone wanting to try any of the methods for sharing one iPhoto Library folder among more than one user to backup all iPhoto Library folders before attemptin anything.

Can I backup multiple users on one mac with Personal Backup X5

Thinking of getting Personal Backup X5 by Intego. I have 4 users on my one mac and need to be able to back up each user's home directory. Does anyone have experience with this app? Can I do this? What do you think if PB X5?
Thanks

Thanks for the advise. I have used CCC before, but right now, I just want a backup solution to backup the home directories of each user on my single mac. I may someday need to clone my main disk, but right now I don't need that. I am using "Backup" now, but I have to log in as each user and run it from their account. I guess I would need to do this with whatever app I use, since some files are protected. Can SuperDuper just do this sort of thing? Can I copy from my account in some "root" mode, and copy the home directories of all my users (wife and kids)?
I downloaded a trial version of Personal Backup X5, but I can't figure out how much the actual app costs, and I don't want to spend too much, considering I can do most of what I need with "Backup", which I already have. I would consider $30 for SuperDuper if it could do the basic incremental backups, etc. I was ****** when I tried to install Personal Backup and it told me it required a re-boot. With 4 accounts logged in, it isn't a simple request.
Thanks for your help.

Multiple users on one mac sharing one itunes library

Hi, I read through this thread https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3753008 and was able to have two users share one itunes library on one computer (yay). However, for the new user, she can't add any music files to her itunes even though I already made sure that she had read/write permissions for the shared folder. Can anyone help? Thanks! (I recently upgraded to mountain lion on a 2009 macbook, if that matters at all. Thanks.)

During the last months... did you get the answer yet, i also would like to know if this is possible

I want to use iChat video and file sharing with Windows users

Nowadays, iChat is compatible with AOL/AIM, Google Talk, Jabber, Mac.com and MobileMe instant messaging services. I know that Yahoo Messenger support will be available soon in Mac OS X Lion.
I tried using AOL/AIM and Google Talk natively in iChat in order to talk with Windows users which were using Google Talk application or web chatting (Me from: Google Talk - My friends from: Google Talk, and Me from: AOL/AIM - My friends from: Google Talk), but videoconference and file sharing were not available.
I also tried Windows Live Messenger in iChat via Jabber intermediate, but it is not efficient and doesn't work for videoconference and file sharing.
So, which IM service combination I should use to chat with Windows users in order to be able to use videoconference and file sharing using such a great app like iChat?
Thanks you.

Hi,
A lapsed Trial or lapsed Paid for MobileMe account will not work in any fashion, as a Screen Name in iChat/AIM apps or as a Email. (Of course it is no longer an Valid Apple ID either).
Given that Google is a Jabber server iChat will Video (or Audio Only) Chat Jabber to Jabber.
With a Valid AIM name (AIM, MobileMe or @mac.com) then it is supposed to work to AIM on a PC
This tends to vary from person to person as to success.
From AIM version 6.5 AIM introduced a Send as Typing feature called "Real Time"
It does not work to iChat and in fact also has to be turned Off in the Buddy List at the AIM end for Video or Audio chats to work.
The AIM app also has to be allowed through the Windows Firewall as an Exception, preferably with UPnP enabled as well and UPnP enabled in their Router.
Trillian is a paid for App for PCs that provide an alternative.
Recently theri site offered 3 windows versions
The Pro version of verion 3.2 (known to work), a version 4 and a version 5 in beta. The version 3.2 used to have a free Text chat version and only the Pro version was needed to Video.
Until the site was reorganised the 3.2 version was "On Sale" at a reduced price.
It seems version 5 is now out of beta
They are still separating out a Pro version.
It is a multi-service client
There is also a Mac version although I have not tried it.
I am not sure what you mean by "Manage" your MSN Contacts.
How about using a MobileMe expired account screen name for using iChat with Windows-Google Talk users? Should I expect the same incompatibilities?
I have already addressed part of this. The fact the name will not work full stop.
However one way of reading this is that you are thing of linking AIM and Jabber (Google) Buddies in one Buddy List
Directly in iChat this cannot be done - unless you are the one with the Jabber Account and an AIM Transport set up.
You would be subject to the same Text Chat only restrictions.
It is a bit like the fact your phone line can be used for Fax, Telephone and DSL broadband. (in fact mine does TV as well)
You granny would not be able to talk to your Fax machine if that happened to answer the call.
Her Fax machine might be able to communicate with your computer if you had an active Fax app on there, and a dail-up modem active to answer.
10:06 PM Tuesday; May 24, 2011
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb( 10.6.7)
 Mac OS X (10.6.7),
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

File Sharing with other Users on the same iMac

I am running Snow Leopard with the latest updates... I have an iMac with 3 users. All users are administrators. I will call them User 1, 2, and 3 for this discussion. I have a file in User 1 Documents folder that I want to share with User 2 and 3. I want User 2 and 3 to have Read & Write access.
I went in System Preferences > Sharing. I checked the box labeled File Sharing. I clicked the "+" button in the "Shared Folders" field and added the Documents folder from User 1 account. I then clicked the "+" button in the "Users" field and add User 2 and 3 with Read & Write access.
I then restarted my iMac and logged into User 2 and 3 account and could not access User 1 Documents folder in Finder. Is there something I am doing wrong? I do have the Firewall turned on, however File Sharing (AFP) is set to Allow Incoming Connections.
Can someone help me here?
Thanks in advance!
Message was edited by: Michael710

An administrative user doesn't have access to much more than a standard user - they just have membership in the admin group and the ability to elevate their privileges to access more things.
The OS is designed to restrict access between accounts, so the usual way to share things is to put them in places where the desired users have access. As mentioned, this can be the /Users/Shared folder - nothing more needs to be done to access items here, since all users on the machine can access this folder (each user also has their own particular shared /Public folder that is accessible to them).
Now, if your issue is not about accessing the files, but rather being able to +do something+ with them, one user normally doesn't have permissions to modify another user's documents since they are not the owner. This can be dealt with by either having the owner give the desired permissions, or adding +Access Control List+ entries to the folder to give additional access to items copied (not moved) there - a user's */Public/Drop Box* folder has ACL entries like this, for example.
You can use the Terminal to add ACL entries, but if you aren't familiar with using the application (or the chmod command), you might take a look at TinkerTool system for a GUI solution - I thought it was worth the price just for this.

Share Contacts for multiple Users on one Mac?

Is it possible to share Address Book between users on a mac? I use Mobileme, and my wife and I have combined all our contacts into one address book. Now we have a new iMac and want to set up separate user accounts, but unless she gets everything (mail, bookmarks, contacts) I don't see how she can continue to access our joint address book. She does not, by the way, have her own Mobileme account.
Any suggestions? This might be covered elsewhere, if so I'm sorry to rehash the topic.
Bryan

I assume you've already got the email account sorted out. If you are using the same POP account you will want to tell Mail not to delete the messages from the server when you pick them up. IMAP is not problem.
I use Xmarks to sync my Bookmarks between Safari, FireFox for Mac and Windows, and IE 8 on Windows: http://www.xmarks.com/ - You need to install it to each browser.
There are several sync solutions for the Address Book, including using Google Calendar.
Since you've already set up a MobileMe account you can upgrade to the family plan for $50 and add her, your mom, kids etc. You sync all of the programs you want and she also gets iDisk that she can share files from and the rest of the features.

File sharing with multiple users on one Mac

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