Cross-platform iTunes library

I keep my iTunes folder (libraries and music folder) on a portable external drive so I can run it on any Mac without transferring files. (Open iTunes with option key down and navigate to the library on the external drive.) All the files are DRM-free so this is not an issue.
But when I try this on a Windows machine (opening iTunes with shift key down) and navigate to the external drive the library is invisible, even though the music is visible. (The drive is formatted FAT-32 so it can be used on either a PC or Mac.)
Is there some way to make it visible on both platforms or are the library formats completely different?

Did you ever add the songs to the library on the Windows machine? If not, use the command File > Add Folder to Library, and point it to the external.
Before you do that, make sure the Preferences "Keep..." and "Copy..." are turned off. This assures that the Windows library will point to the files on the external, rather than create new copies.

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Recommendations for cross-platform software development?

I'm considering developing a new shareware product and I'd like for it to be able to run on both OS X and Windows, and Linux too if that ends up not requiring too much more effort.
I've been a Java programmer for many years now, making Java in some ways a very obvious solution. But I've never been all that pleased with the look and the performance of Java Swing GUIs. Swing isn't all that bad for some uses, but it can be clumsy in many ways (like Mac open/save file dialogs), doesn't always get the look-and-feel of a particular platform quite right, misses many platform-specific features one might want to access -- in short, Java-based apps seldom manage to have the fit-and-finish of off-the-shelf, shrink-wrapped commercial software.
I could stick with Java and try out the SWT toolkit (it's better at getting native look-and-feel, and native performance) for building a GUI, but from what I've read SWT has its limitation as well, and besides, because of the nature of the product I have in mind -- something dealing with audio and music -- a lot of the open source code I'd like to incorporate into my product is written in C or C++, and I might need to do some low-level driver work too. Trying to bridge all of that into a Java app with lots of JNI work doesn't seem like the best route to take.
I could learn C# and use Mono to make my stuff work for OS X, but, although I've never worked with C# and whatever standard GUI libraries one would typically use with C#, I suspect that it will work best for Windows and be kind of iffy for Mac use.
All this said, I'm fairly certain that, after many years away from it, the best thing for me to do is get back into using C++ for this project.
From my cursory preliminary research, the best looking C++ cross-platform development library I've seen so far is Qt from Trolltech. It's also very expensive from the viewpoint of a start-up operation -- a few thousand dollars, even with a 65% discount given to small start-ups.
There's the totally free, open-source wxWidgets, but it sounds like wxWidgets' Mac support isn't the greatest, and it sounds like it's noticeably buggier than Qt. Maybe it would still be good enough for my uses, but I don't know that yet -- which is one reason I'm writing this post, hoping others have had some experience with it.
Anyone know any other C++ cross platform toolkits for general GUI application development? One article I read said:
If your needs are a free cross-platform environment, then wxWidgets is your best and only solution. However, for under $100, you can find a cross-platform environment with a much better Macintosh user experience than wxWidgets.
I can't seem to find any of these better-than-wxWidgets, under-$100 solutions, however. Suggestions, anyone?
Quad G5 + 15" MBP Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Hi--
I think, from looking at that page he must be talking about the CPLAT framwork. It's kind of hard to figure out from that page, but he's got another page with information on CPLAT here.
It looks like it's $50 for the license. You can also look at the official CPLAT site for more info. I've never used it, though, so I can't really say whether it's any good or not. But there is a trial version available...
charlie

Recommended way to unit test mobile cross platform C++ in Visual Studio 2015

Hello,
I'm playing with the new Visual Studio 2015 to check its capabilities for cross platform development using C++ as coding language. I've seen several videos in Channel9 about this feature but I don't remember hearing in any of these a word about how
to unit test such projects from Visual Studio 2015. Is there some recommended way to create unit tests for such projects?
I'm not sure I can use Visual Studio test projects for C++ to test the android library or the Windows Phone 8.1. If I add a new platform ARM to a test project of those, I cannot select in the platform toolset combo the values that I have for my libraries
(Clang 3.4 and Windows 8.1 respectively). So it seems that such test projects are not addressed for cross platform c++ in VS2015.
I also have tried to make a second cross platform library project to contain the tests, adding there the Catch.h file from catch framework or adding the files from Google Test framework. My idea was to link each cross platform test library with their corresponding
"production code" libraries. In both cases (catch and gtest) I have problems when trying to compile the test framework files (not sure if it is not possible or just my fault being new at C++ for mobile platforms).
Has anyone succeeded unit testing the cross platform c++ code in VS2015? How?
Thanks in advance,
Jorge.

Hi Jorge,
Thanks you for posting in MSDN forum.
Based on your issue, since VS2015 Preview is previews for the next major release of Visual Studio, currently we forums don’t provide support for VS2015 Preview. So the product team would accept the suggestions or feedbacks for the VS2015 now.
So you can submit the feedback/suggestions to Microsoft Connect feedback portal:
http://connect.microsoft.com/VisualStudio/feedback/CreateFeedback.aspx, Microsoft engineers will evaluate them seriously. Thanks for your understanding.
After you submit the feedback, you can post the link here which will be beneficial for other members with the similar issue. And I will help you to vote it.
Thank you for your understanding.
Best Regards,
We are trying to better understand customer views on social support experience, so your participation in this interview project would be greatly appreciated if you have time. Thanks for helping make community forums a great place.
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Can you cross platforms on the 4S? My itunes is on MAC, all other info is on PC

Can you cross platforms on the 4S? My itunes is on MAC, all other info is on PC

Yes, you can sync iTunes content with one computer, & contacts & calendars with another computer.

HT3819 I just bought my kids iPods. How can we share music from my iTunes library without crossing over with text messages, etc?

I just bought my 3 kids iPods. How can we share music from my iTunes library without crossing over with texts, apps, etc?

Create new IDs for each by:
Create a NEW account using these instructions. Make sure you follow the instructions. Many do not and if you do not you will not get the None option. You must use an email address that you have not used with Apple before.
Creating an iTunes Store, App Store, iBookstore, and Mac App Store account without a credit card
Use that Id only for:
- Settings>Messages>Send and receive and sign out your ID and sign into the new one. Make sure that only that ID email address is listed.
- Settings>FaceTime sign out of your ID and sign into the new . Make sure that under You can be reached at only the new ID email address is listed
- Settings>iCloud and sign out and sign in with the new one
Continue to the one one common ID for Settings>iTunes and App stores. That is what controls purchases.

Im trying to update my Iphone OS but it says: " you have purchases that have not been transfered to your itunes library". I dont want to lose anything I've purchased, I dont want to cross reference every app and song to see if its in itunes or not. help

II have an iPhone 4. I want to update my iPhone operating system but when I do, it says I have purchases that haven't been transfered to my iTunes library. I sync my phone everytime I plug it in (automatically), so I'm not sure why I'm getting the message. I have updated opertating systems before and lost everything, photos, contacts, music, aps, etc so I've been hesitant to do it this time, but my phone is just too slow and aps keep crashing etc.
Short of going through and manually verifying every app and song ive purchased, how can I figure out what is missing from my library, and begin this update?
Thx
Jon

thanks, but the device displays on the top right of the latest version of itunes, and i doesn't allow a right click. You can open it and access the info inside but theres no option to "transfer items" anywhere :-s

Installing 6.0.3.5 erases iTunes Library?

I just installed the 6.0.3.5 update today, as I have done successfully with many previous updates. While installing, the install process opened a new version of iTunes where no files showed in the library, then I got an install error message telling me that iTunes was running and needed to be closed for the install to continue.
Did that, install completed, but now when I run iTunes, only the new version with no music in it comes up.
Has my iTunes Music Library.xml file been overwritten? I did a search on my hard drive for the file, and the only current one I can find seems to be time-stamped at the time of the install.
PLEASE tell me there's a way to get the old one back! I have spent so much time adding info to the library file... star ratings, album art...

These links will give you several methods of recovering whatever information remains on your iPod; some free, some third-party software, some more comprehensive for restoring Playlists, Ratings, Play Counts, etc. Read them and their associated links before deciding on a strategy that works for you. There are many various third-party software programs that will offer a more robust process, or an easier GUI. Do a Google search for them if the links below leave you wanting…
Don King Resurrected: Deleted files from hard drive (free user steps – music recovery only)
MacMuse: Computer Crashed (free user steps – music recovery only)
Copying music from iPod to computer (a primer on various methods and software)
Copying Songs from Your iPod to a Mac or PC (resource for 3rd party software)
iPodRip Software
PodUtil Software
YamiPod Software (Mac & Windows)
PodPlus Software (Windows)
TuneJack Software (Windows)
Senuti (Mac OS X v10.3 or higher Recovery Utility)
XPlay (Windows software For Music Recovery &/or Cross-Platform Functionality)
XPlay Photo Browser (For recovering Photos)
After recovering your Library, strongly consider developing a thorough backup strategy for just this type of situation (and many other potential disasters).
You need at least two full sets of your music, not including what is on the iPod:
-- One full set on the PC within iTunes (on internal HD or ExHD)
-- One full set on an separate external backup medium (CD/DVD/ExHD/other)
-- One (full or partial) set on the iPod
Music files on just the iPod and only one other medium is not considered having any backup.
If you cannot store your complete music files on the computer’s internal HD, then create and maintain at least two external sets (any multiple combinations of ExHDs, DVDs, CDs).
Backup both the music files and the Library database file (iTunes Library.itl). What are the iTunes Library files?
Here is a post on developing a thorough backup strategy:
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=1583994#1583994

Itunes library - copy to new hard drive

I have just had to install a new hard drive. I can still access my old one so have copied the contents of the itunes music folder to the new drive. Why can't I now see the contents of the itunes music folder in itunes library? Any assistance appreciated. Thank you

Connecting a full iPod to a blank iTunes could be fatal to the iPod's music.
No need to re-rip your music if all of it is still on the iPod....
These links will give you several methods of recovering whatever songs remain on your iPod; some free, some third-party software, some more comprehensive for restoring playlists, ratings, playcounts, etc. Read them and their associated links before deciding on a strategy that works for you. There are many various third-party software programs that will offer a more robust process, or an easier GUI. Do a Google search for them if the links below leave you wanting…
Don King Resurrected: Deleted files from hard drive (free user steps – music recovery only)
MacMuse: Computer Crashed (free user steps – music recovery only)
Copying music from iPod to computer (a primer on various methods and software)
Copying Songs from Your iPod to a Mac or PC (resource for 3rd party software)
iPodRip Software
PodUtil Software
XPlay (Software For Cross-Platform Functionality & Music Recovery)
XPlay Photo Browser (For recovering Photos)
After recovering your song files, strongly consider developing a thorough backup strategy for just this type of situation.
You need at least three sets of your music:
-- One full set on the PC within iTunes (on internal HD or ExHD)
-- One full set on an separate external backup medium (CD/DVD/ExHD/other)
-- One (full or partial) set on the iPod
Music files on just the iPod and the computer is not considered having any backup. If you cannot store your complete music files on the computer, then create and maintain two external sets.
Backup both the music files and the Library database file (iTunes Library.itl). What are the iTunes Library files?
Here is a post on developing a backup strategy: http://discussions.apple.com/click.jspa?searchID=210939&messageID=1215125

I want my iTunes Library on my windows PC AND my windows laptop

I would like to maintain a copy of my library on both my laptop and desktop.
I have been able to do this.
Any advice?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Dell Latitude D810 Windows XP Pro 2GB DDR SDRAM

"can I then use my iPod to move new songs the desktop?"
Yes. Any one of several methods or software programs will suffice. Choose what fits your needs and pocketbook.
These links will give you several methods of recovering whatever songs remain on your iPod; some free, some third-party software, some more comprehensive for restoring Playlists, Ratings, Play Counts, etc. Read them and their associated links before deciding on a strategy that works for you. There are many various third-party software programs that will offer a more robust process, or an easier GUI. Do a Google search for them if the links below leave you wanting…
Don King Resurrected: Deleted files from hard drive (free user steps – music recovery only)
MacMuse: Computer Crashed (free user steps – music recovery only)
Copying music from iPod to computer (a primer on various methods and software)
Copying Songs from Your iPod to a Mac or PC (resource for 3rd party software)
iPodRip Software
PodUtil Software
PodPlus Software (Windows)
TuneJack Software (Windows)
Senuti (Mac OS X v10.3 or higher Recovery Utility)
XPlay (Windows software For Music Recovery &/or Cross-Platform Functionality)
XPlay Photo Browser (For recovering Photos)
Extremely Simple Method: (just to recover the song files – may not work on a Mac)
1 - Open iTunes
2 - Edit=>Preferences=>’Advanced/General’ tab
2a --- Select ‘Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library’: checked
2b --- Select ‘Keep iTunes Music folder organized’: checked
2c --- Click OK to store changes
3 - Attach your iPod to the PC and hold down the ‘Shift+Ctrl’ keys until the iPod is fully recognized (this will defeat the auto-sync process)
4 - If you get a dialog box to link the Library, decline this option
5 - Within iTunes: Edit=>Preferences=>’iPod’ tab: switch iPod to manual transfer – click ‘OK’
6 – File=>Add Folder
7 - Browse to and open ‘My Computer’ (click on the ‘+’) and select the iPod
8 - Click OK
9 - The music files should start to transfer back into iTunes
9a –- This will take some time depending on your PC and the amount of songs on the iPod
No Playlists, or Ratings, Last Played, & Play Count attributes will be transferred from the iPod to iTunes using this method.
If you have problems with seeing the iPod within 'My Computer', try switching your update method to 'manual'.

Cross platform play lists

I make my iTunes play lists on my PC. Is there a way to import, and/or convert, the play list file to my Mac so that I can have the same play lists without having to duplicate them manually. It’s a huge job. You would think that Apple would benefit from making an automatic conversion program for cross platform use.

Ok, I did what you said then I went to the Mac and it’s a little different. There wasn’t a Library choice, but there was an Import, so I imported the playlist file. The playlist showed up in iTunes on the Mac, but there were no songs in it, just a playlist folder. I made sure to create a playlist on the PC that I verified the songs were in the Mac library. Are you leaving something out? Is there a special new version of iTunes that has to be installed for this method to work?

ITunes library erased

I somehow managed to erase or discard all my music on iTunes from my computer. The iTunes icon is still on my desktop, but the music I saved is gone. Is there a way to transfer the music on my iPod back to the computer? I also notice that a song I downloaded recently won't transfer to the iPod.

DO NOT attach & sync your full iPod to an empty iTunes
These links will give you several methods of recovering whatever songs remain on your iPod; some free, some third-party software, some more comprehensive for restoring Playlists, Ratings, Play Counts, etc. Read them and their associated links before deciding on a strategy that works for you. There are many various third-party software programs that will offer a more robust process, or an easier GUI. Do a Google search for them if the links below leave you wanting…
Don King Resurrected: Deleted files from hard drive (free user steps – music recovery only)
MacMuse: Computer Crashed (free user steps – music recovery only)
Copying music from iPod to computer (a primer on various methods and software)
Copying Songs from Your iPod to a Mac or PC (resource for 3rd party software)
iPodRip Software (Free trial: Mac & Windows)
PodUtil Software (Mac & Windows)
YamiPod Software (Free: Mac & Windows)
PodPlus Software (Windows)
TuneJack Software (Windows)
Senuti (Mac OS X v10.3 or higher Recovery Utility)
XPlay (Windows software For Music Recovery &/or Cross-Platform Functionality)
XPlay Photo Browser (For recovering Photos)
Extremely Simple & Free Method: (just to recover the song files – may not work on a Mac)
1 - Open iTunes
2 - Edit=>Preferences=>’Advanced/General’ tab
2a --- Select ‘Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library’: checked
2b --- Select ‘Keep iTunes Music folder organized’: checked
2c --- Click OK to store changes
3 - Attach your iPod to the PC and hold down the ‘Shift+Ctrl’ keys until the iPod is fully recognized (this will defeat the auto-sync process)
4 - If you get a dialog box to link the Library, decline this option
5 - Within iTunes: Edit=>Preferences=>’iPod’ tab: switch iPod to ‘Manually manage songs & playlists’ – click ‘OK’
6 – Eject iPod
7 – Close iTunes, then reopen iTunes and attach the iPod (it’s in manual sync now)
8 – File=>Add Folder
9 - Browse to and open ‘My Computer’ (click on the ‘+’) and select the iPod (or the lower ‘\iPod_Control’ sub-folder)
10 - Click OK
-- The music files should start to transfer back into iTunes with its correct information
–-- This will take some time depending on your PC’s speed and the amount of songs on the iPod
No Playlists, or Ratings, Last Played, & Play Count attributes will be transferred from the iPod to iTunes using this method.
If you have problems with seeing the iPod within 'My Computer', try again switching your update method to 'manual', detach the iPod, then reconnect the iPod to the PC.
After recovering your Library, strongly consider developing a thorough and frequent backup strategy for just this type of situation (and many other potential disasters).
You need at least two full sets of your music, not including what is on the iPod:
-- One full set on the PC within iTunes (on internal HD or ExHD)
-- One full set on an separate external backup medium (CD/DVD/ExHD/other)
-- One (full or partial) set on the iPod
Music files on just the iPod and only one other medium is not considered having any backup.
If you cannot store your complete music files on the computer’s internal HD, then create and maintain at least two external sets (any multiple combinations of ExHDs, DVDs, CDs).
Backup both the music files and the Library database file (iTunes Library.itl). What are the iTunes Library files?
Here is a post on developing a thorough Backup Strategy

Had to re download itunes, library gone?

itunes told me to redownload software, that mine was corrupted, but all my songs are gone, can i get them back?
carrie

Perchance you may still have the music files on your PC -- but not seen in iTunes or the PC.
Do a thorough search of your PC using the tips below:
First - Make sure that you enable your Windows Explorer to view 'Hidden' files:
- Open Windows Explorer
- Select 'My Computer'
- On the main Windows Explorer menu: Tools=>Folder Options=>'View' tab
- In 'Advanced Setting' --> Files and Folders --> Hidden files and folders:
-- Select 'Show hidden files and folders’
- Click 'Apply to All Folders'
- Click 'OK'
Then check using Windows Explorer in 'My Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\...' for folders containing your music (or wherever you keep your music folders).
Also check in your Recycle Bin to see if you accidentally deleted it. If so, ‘Restore’ it back to it’s original spot.
Then try running a search using Windows Explorer (or similar) for files with the extensions of: m4a, m4p, MP3, OR with the partial names of the songs you are missing.
Do all the above before you decide that your music files have been completely erased from your hard drive.
IF you can locate the music files/folders, we can get iTunes to recognize it. Try one of these:
If you have a backup iTunes database file available....
1. --- Close iTunes. If you have a backup (or previous version) of the ‘iTunes Library’itl’ database file, then place a copy of that file in the ‘...\My Music\iTunes’ folder (or wherever the current, incomplete file resides).
1b. --- Open iTunes
If no backup ITL file exists….
2a. --- In iTunes choose: Edit==>Preferences==>Advanced tab. Select 'Change' and browse to the music folder in your PC drive (if it isn’t already). Click OK to save that setting.
Then....
2b. --- In iTunes choose: File==>’Add Folder to Library’ & browse to the music folder in your PC drive. Click OK.
Without the ITL file, re-‘Adding’ the music files to the Library will lose you the Ratings, Play Counts, Date Added and Last Played attributes, as well as your Playlists. No real way to recover them if you haven’t made prior backups. Something to consider for the future....
IF your music files are truly gone, and you have some or all of your music files on your iPod, these links will give you several methods of recovering whatever songs remain on your iPod; some free, some third-party software, some more comprehensive for restoring playlists, ratings, playcounts, etc. Read them and their associated links before deciding on a strategy that works for you. There are many various third-party software programs that will offer a more robust process, or an easier GUI. Do a Google search for them if the links below leave you wanting…
Don King Resurrected: Deleted files from hard drive (free user steps – music recovery only)
MacMuse: Computer Crashed (free user steps – music recovery only)
Copying music from iPod to computer (a primer on various methods and software)
Copying Songs from Your iPod to a Mac or PC (resource for 3rd party software)
Senuti (Mac OS X v10.3 or higher Recovery Utility)
iPodRip Software
PodUtil Software
XPlay (Software For Cross-Platform Functionality & Music Recovery)
XPlay Photo Browser (For recovering Photos)
Extremely Simple Method: (just to recover the song files – may not work on a Mac)
1 - Open iTunes
2 - Edit=>Preferences=>’Advanced/General’ tab
2a --- Select ‘Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library’: checked
2b --- Select ‘Keep iTunes Music folder organized’: checked
2c --- Click OK to store changes
3 - Attach your iPod to the PC and hold down the ‘Shift+Ctrl’ keys until the iPod is fully recognized (this will defeat the auto-sync process)
4 - If you get a dialog box to link the Library, decline this option
5 - Within iTunes: Edit=>Preferences=>’iPod’ tab: switch iPod to manual transfer – click ‘OK’
6 – Eject iPod
7 – Close iTunes, then reopen iTunes and attach the iPod (it’s in manual sync now)
8 – File=>Add Folder
9 - Browse to and open ‘My Computer’ (click on the ‘+’) and select the iPod
10 - Click OK
-- The music files should start to transfer back into iTunes with its correct information
–-- This will take some time depending on your PC’s speed and the amount of songs on the iPod
No Playlists, or Ratings, Last Played, & Play Count attributes will be transferred from the iPod to iTunes using this method.
If you have problems with seeing the iPod within 'My Computer', try again switching your update method to 'manual', detach the iPod, then reconnect the iPod to the PC.
AFTER recovering your Library, strongly consider developing a thorough backup strategy for just this type of situation.
You need at least two full sets of your music, not including what is on the iPod:
-- One full set on the PC within iTunes (on internal HD or ExHD)
-- One full set on an separate external backup medium (CD/DVD/ExHD/other)
-- One (full or partial) set on the iPod
Music files on just the iPod and only one other medium is not considered having any backup.
If you cannot store your complete music files on the computer’s internal HD, then create and maintain at least two external sets (any multiple combinations of ExHDs, DVDs, CDs).
Backup both the music files and the Library database file (iTunes Library.itl). What are the iTunes Library files?
Here is a post on developing a thorough backup strategy:
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=1822938#1822938

How do I backup an iTunes library if it is on an external harddrive

Hi
Like so many I have an iTunes library that is rapidly outgrowing my internal harddrive. (ahh Dr Who why did you have to be so good!!??!)
I have been using timemachine to backup my MacBook's drive.
I found articles:
How to move iTunes library to external drive (pretty much simple as!!) I even have the perfect portable drive
How to Back up iTunes to an external drive (also simple)
But what I can't find (and maybe I am being stupid?) is how to back up that new iTunes library (in future backups) now that it is on it's own external drive. Do I need to move it to the MacBook each month and do a manual back up? - pretty sure time machine wont back up the external drive (even though the time machine drive is way big enough)
Not having used external drives too often I am not sure if maybe I can back up the library by following the procedure for backing up to an external drive but just picking the library from where it sits on a second external drive to start it - guess I could just test this before I delete the internal library?
Both of my ideas seem time consuming (and a bit "waving the rubber chicken" to quote Merlin Mann) - any recommendations for a more automated process - the whole reason for me using Time machine is it works without me having to be involved.
Any help would be appreciated
My need exceeds my skills
Thanx
Cecilia
(waiting to sort this out before upgrading to Lion )

I just love this. I may have found the answer which showed up (from 2008) when I posted this Q (but of course did not show up when I first searched :?
https://discussions.apple.com/message/7566039#7566039
I will give this a test run over the weekend. Cross fingers and wave that rubber chicken
C

ITunes failing to open - error message reads "New iTunes Library"

My computer turned itself off last night after overheating.. this has happened before. I went to turn it on this morning and it went through a start up process to ensure now problems occurred. It is now back up and running yet my iTunes will not open and it comes up with an Error message and a Red Cross to say "new iTunes library" when I haven't done anything. I can't open my music or even sync my phone! I have an Acer 5733 laptop and its running in windows 7. it's only a year old... help!!!

are you running any anti virus software on your machine ?

How can i share my itunes library with another computer

how can i share my itunes library with another computer

Fingers crossed, the following document may be of some help with that:
iTunes: Setting up Home Sharing on your computer

Cross-platform iTunes library

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