Keeping iTunes library on portable HD? - probs with database files!

I have my music collection on a portable HD, which I use at work and at home.
I add music and update file info at work, but I've learned that although I run the app from the portable HD the database info is kept in the User's Music folder on that machine. Thus, when I get home I don't have the up-to-date file info on my home mac!
Is there a way to change the default location for the database files that iTunes uses? If I could make the portable HD the default location I think I could access 1 constantly updated iTunes library without having to 'Add to Library' and import XML files.
Is this just wishful thinking, or is there a workaround or app which can do this automatically?
Thanks, Lee.

One work around is to just copy the files on one computer and then copy then to the other when you get home.
That's what I do; File/Add to Library, then sort window by date, add the recent ones.
Trouble is things like ratings are kept in the .xml file, in the username/music folder of the local machine, not in the ID3 tags and therefore are not imported with the music!
I have tried to import the .xml file from one mac to the other and keep them synchronised with sync software but iTunes doesn't like it. I've corrupted a 4000-track library like this and started from scratch, so I'm loathe to mess with that again!
The scripts look interesting though. Thanks.

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I have my iTunes Library (including my music, videos, ringtones, podcasts and audiobooks) stored on a portable drive so that I can play my music at home and at work. Now I have a 3G iPhone and synching is causing me problems.
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Helllllllllp!
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christopher rigby1 wrote:
You must maintain the actual library files separately on the Mac and PC as they are different formats, and use different file paths for each song.
That is what I was hoping to avoid. That means I would not be able to sync my iPhone on both machines. It also means I would have to sync my libraries on a regular basis.
My primary goal was to be able to put a movie or two and/or a couple of training videos on the iPhone and when I get through them, be able to update the iPhone with new ones to use on the flight back home.
What about keeping the library files for both machines on the external drive, in addition to the actual library. Would that solve my problem?

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Machine Model: PowerMac4,2
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CPU Speed: 800 MHz
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I would think you could access them directly from that drive, but I am not sure if the USB 1.1 bus speed will cause problems or not like stuttering, long pauses, aborts in the middle of songs, etc. You can certain give it a try and let us know if it works ok that way.
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Keeping iTunes library on portable HD? - probs with database files!

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