What's the best way to import ALL of my photos (34k +) and then share?

Question

*Part I - importing:*
I've got approximately 34,400 photos on a networked drive that I need to be able to control using iPhoto. I want these files to stay on the network drive, but also be controlled by iPhoto (organized by date). Right now our photos folder on the network drive is a bit of a mess, some folders are named by date only and some are named by the event itself ("birthday 2009", etc.). I want this naming to go away in place of the iPhoto method (by date only). FYI, I am familiar with how to get to the "original" and "modified" folders/files within the iPhoto Library.
Question: Is there a way to get iPhoto to organize the photos (all by date) an leave the original photos on the networked drive? or do I need to:
> Import ALL photos into my iPhoto with the "import photos into iPhoto Library" option checked (iPhoto copies all original files to my laptop hard drive)
> Then manually move the file structure (all new folders created - by date) back to my networked drive
> THEN...remove all photos from the iPhoto Library and re-import the newly organized photos from the network drive but unchecking the "import photos into iPhoto Library" option.
Right now, both of our MacBook Pro's use iPhoto to access those photos independently of one another (each laptop does their own thing). This also creates problems because when files are imported on my laptop they are saved locally (on my laptop) and not on the network drive, same goes for my wife's laptop. Then she's not able to see those new photos.
*Part II - sharing:*
I'm also in the process of trying to figure out the best way to share all of our photos between our different laptops. Using the "sharing" function in iPhoto isn't ideal since that requires both laptops to be on.
My understanding of sharing the iPhoto library itself (having it saved on the networked drive) between two laptops is that only one laptop can access this library at a time, or there's potential of having the files become corrupt (two laptops trying to access the file at the same time).
Question: What's the best way to share photos between two laptops?
Thanks in advance

Answer 1

RONBO
Is there a way to get iPhoto to organize the photos (all by date) an leave the original photos on the networked drive?
Yes there is. But I don't recommend it as a way of working with iPhoto.
Simply go to iPhoto Menu -> Preferences -> Advanced and uncheck 'Copy Files to the iPhoto Library on Import'.
Now iPhoto will not copy the files, but rather simply reference them on your HD. To do this it will create an alias in the Originals Folder that points to your file. It will still create a thumbnail and, if you modify the pics, a Modified version within the iPhoto Library Folder.
However, you need to be aware of a number of potential pitfalls using this system.
1. Import and deleting pics are more complex procedures
2. You cannot move or rename the files on your system or iPhoto will lose track of them on systems prior to 10.5 and iPhoto 08. Even with the later versions issues can still arise if you move the referenced files to new volumes or between volumes.
3. Most importantly, migrating to a new disk or computer can be much more complex.
The problems arise when you change the path to the Files. iPhoto has no way of reconnecting that path and you could find yourself resolving aliases one at a time for all 34k Photos.
Other apps, such as Aperture have a command to re-connect with the master files.
FYI, I am familiar with how to get to the "original" and "modified" folders/files within the iPhoto Library.
Good for you but never, ever access the files this way. Period. Within the iPhoto Package File there are no user sercviceable parts.
All your work gets done in the iPhoto Window. Everything you need to do can be done from there - and must be.
Then manually move the file structure (all new folders created - by date) back to my networked drive
Never, ever break up the internals of the iPhoto Package File. You'll break iPhoto if you do.
Also, what format is that Networked Drive? iPhoto needs to have the Library sitting on disk formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Users with the Library sitting on disks otherwise formatted regularly report issues including, but not limited to, importing, saving edits and sharing the photos.
Question: What's the best way to share photos between two laptops?
If simultaneous sharing is your goal then you need to use a Media Server app. iPhoto isn't one.
The key really is the format of the NAS. IF you can make it Mac OS Extended (Journaled) then you can easily store your Library on it and share it. Otherwise you need to use another application for the job.
Regards
TD