How do I share itunes library files using an external drive?

I can't find the exact answer I am looking for.
I have an XP Machine and a Mac. I have a shared external USB drive with all of my music files on it. The files are accessed by itunes on both machines as needed. I do not have both networked, so Home Sharing is not an option, it also is something I am not interested in doing in this particular case.
Here is my problem, if I add a song on my Mac, it does not show up on my PC and visa versa. The other problem is that it does the play count, playlist updates etc. on only one machine.
So my question is this. Is there any way that I can have itunes use only one library file no matter which machine is operating? In other words, if I add a song while on the PC, I want it to show up on my Mac library. If I want to change a playlist on my PC it will be changed on the Mac when I get on.
Can anyone answer this one?

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