MAC Server & iTunes : Does MAC Server support central iTunes repositories?

Question

I need some help
Problem:
I have a family of "5" who are all MAC users - all alas have different MAC iTunes repositories. I want to create a central MAC Music repository to ease the pain on my checkbook. Three people bought Nora Jones new Album... one person pays - me
Setup:
Potential Server:
BIGMAC1:
Dual Proc Power PC G4 1.25 Mhz, 1 gb RAM
Gig Ethernet Connectivity with 4 Terabytes of RAID storage.
Clients:
5 MAC's... (Mac Mini, 24" iMac (intel), 2 Mac Book Pro's (Intel), and a 12" Power PC)
Current Setup:
I use symbolic links from the desktops to BIGMAC Music repository.
Mount BIGMAC1 Disk via network
Open System preferences
Open Accounts
Open login items
Drag BIGMAC1 to login items
Open iTunes
<Backup iTunes music directory>
Select preferences / advanced
Turn off “keep itunes organized” and “copy files to itunes” on all clients
Exit
For each user
Delete <User>/Music/iTunes/”iTunes Music”
ln –s /Volumes/”BigMAC1 Disk”/Music ./<User>/Music/iTunes/”iTunes Music”
Copy any purchased music to BIGMAC1
Open iTunes on Client
Delete Music library in iTunes
Select add to library
Select /Volumes/”BigMAC1 Disk”/Music
Once complete your all using the same repository
Issue: If someone adds new music you have to know and add it to you your library…
This works but every so often some family member does something that duplicates all the files in iTunes. I suspect this is something to do with consolidate music library options. "Picture Homer Simpson looking frustrated"
Help: Is their Recommended Solution?
The above sort of work but is not perfect and I am not a "nerd". I need to maintain my social skills and would love to know if I can just install MAC Server or something equivalent and fix this.
In short: Does MAC Server solve this or does something else?
Hey Apple: I would line up and buy a solution if one existed...
1. MAC Server in basement… access to music from PC around house. Music ordered is stored on basement PC and backup automatically…
2. The ability to add a fourth child under account (MAC limit 5 machines to one iTunes Account)
Apple: I am not breeding until you allow me to purchase another person to the family music account…. You would stunt their childhood if this is not fixed...
TechnoPhobe!

Answer 1

Your solution is as good as any to let you share iTunes tracks, especially ones purchased from the iTunes store amongst multiple users on a single computer.
If you had multiple computers, you could use the built-in sharing function of iTunes and then access them from the other computers, but the other computers would also need 'authorising' to play the protected tracks.
However there is something else you could consider. Have all the music and protected files on one computer, share it using iTunes, and access it using the new TV box. You could have multiple TV boxes and they would not need authorising to play the protected tracks. They would also not modify your iTunes files causing the problems you have occasionally experienced.
There are other similar approach devices like the Roku Soundbridge, Sonos ZonePlayer, SlimDevices Squeezebox but none of those support tracks purchased from the iTunes store whereas the TV does.