IPhoto on external NAS

Question

I have pointed IPhoto to my NAS as the default source for its IPhoto library. So now if I upload photos from my camera they are loaded straight to the NAS (always on). When I launch IPhoto it defaults to the library on the NAS.
I do want to be able to view photos on my PS3 and, sure enough, it can pick a lot of them up - I simply choose the PS3 options of Photos / Server (Vortexbox in my case) and then select the folder called IPhoto Library.
But the file structure in there just isn't the same as I can see in Finder or even tallies with the Events list in IPhoto. Loads of folders seem to have been created such as 2002, 2003, 2004 etc (and not by me) and in a 'directory tree' that's unfamiliar. One folder comprises sub folders such as 'Modified', Original' 'Data' etc.
I can find many of the photos in the Data folder but not ll. Photos I uploaded yesterday for example (which I can see and edit in IPhoto) just don't apear via the PS3.
I guess I'm really struggling to understand how Apple organises photos.
All I wanted to do was to store my music and photos on an external server, so they would be accessible for listening / viewing (not editing) across a network, rather than having to have them on my IMac which would always need to be running to do this.
Anyone successfuly used a PS3 to view their photos on an external server ?

Answer 1

I think I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion that migrating from Microsoft to Apple was the worst IT decision I've made - lured by the glitz !
No it's not. All that's happening is that you're guess what apps do and you're not guessing right. iPhoto is a $16 app aimed at the home user with a Mac and a point and shoot camera. That's all. It's not the only photo app on the Mac - not even close - it's just the basic one that comes with your Mac. What you're doing is a bit like me finding Notepad on a Windows Machine and then complaining that WIndows is useless for Word Processing and Page layout. You just need to research and look for the app that will do what you want.
The Apple universe is such a closed in beast it is defeating my needs every which way.
Again, no. It's perfectly open and easy to work with, if you use the apps that do what you want. iPhoto is not that app for you.
If not IPhoto is there another application that runs on Mac OS but enables me to share photos ?
Have a search here MacUpdate it lists pretty much every app available for the Mac. Don't assume that you'll find the solution on your first one. What app did you use for the job on Windows? How about googling "Mac Version of X?' Remember you're not the first person to have these issues. Lots of other people have, and solved them.
Must admit I'm struggling to understand where my photos actually are now.
Are you running a Managed or a Referenced Library?
A +Managed library+, is the default setting, and iPhoto copies files into the iPhoto Library when Importing
A +Referenced Library+ is when iPhoto is NOT copying the files into the iPhoto Library when importing because you made a change at iPhoto -> Preferences -> Advanced. In this scenario you are responsible for the File Management.
If it's a managed library then they are stored in the iPhoto Library in your Pictures Folder.
I can understand that a relational database is going to 'tag' files in all sorts of ways but surely the basic file content should remain for access more widely ?
Not when you've all of these methods to access the files:
There are many, many ways to access your files in iPhoto:
*For Users of 10.5 and later*
You can use any Open / Attach / Browse dialogue. On the left there's a Media heading, your pics can be accessed there. Command-Click for selecting multiple pics.
Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!
(Note the above illustration is not a Finder Window. It's the dialogue you get when you go File -> Open)
You can access the Library from the New Message Window in Mail:
Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!
*For users of 10.4 and later* ...
Many internet sites such as Flickr and SmugMug have plug-ins for accessing the iPhoto Library. If the site you want to use doesn’t then some, one or any of these will also work:
To upload to a site that does not have an iPhoto Export Plug-in the recommended way is to Select the Pic in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export and export the pic to the desktop, then upload from there. After the upload you can trash the pic on the desktop. It's only a copy and your original is safe in iPhoto.
This is also true for emailing with Web-based services. However, if you're using Gmail you can use iPhoto2GMail
If you use Apple's Mail, Entourage, AOL or Eudora you can email from within iPhoto.
If you use a Cocoa-based Browser such as Safari, you can drag the pics from the iPhoto Window to the Attach window in the browser.
*If you want to access the files with iPhoto not running*:
For users of 10.6 and later:
You can download a free Services component from MacOSXAutomation which will give you access to the iPhoto Library from your Services Menu. Using the Services Preference Pane you can even create a keyboard shortcut for it.
For Users of 10.4 and later:
Create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use this free utility Karelia iMedia Browser
Other options include:
1. *Drag and Drop*: Drag a photo from the iPhoto Window to the desktop, there iPhoto will make a full-sized copy of the pic.
2. *File -> Export*: Select the files in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export. The dialogue will give you various options, including altering the format, naming the files and changing the size. Again, producing a copy.
3. *Show File*: Right- (or Control-) Click on a pic and in the resulting dialogue choose 'Show File'. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected.
I really think, tho' that iPhoto is not the app for you.
Regards
TD