Manage iTunes across multiple users

I am setting up a separate user account for my partner on my Macbook. I'd like her to be able to use my iTunes library as a starting point for building her own. I think I figured out how to get that started here:
share music between different accounts on a single computer.
Once we do this, can we manage - add/delete songs, etc. - our independent iTunes library? For example, if she decides to trash all of my disco songs in her library, will they disappear from mine?

Actually, if you don't mind having two copies of the content files on the computer (one set for each user account), using home sharing between the two accounts to transfer the music into her account might be the best way to go.
For the basic technique, see Chris CA's post:
iTunes Home Sharing now works between users on same computer
Once you've got the connection set up and you're in her account, when displaying the library you're transferring music from (the library in your account), for your later transfers go down to the bottom of the screen and in "Show:" select "Items not in my library".
Once your music has transfered across to her library, she can delete the music from her library that she doesn't want. (That shouldn't affect the music in your library.)
If you add music to your iTunes library, you can do the same to bring her library up-to-date with the new stuff (or vice versa, if she gets music into her library that you'd quite like in yours).

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IPhoto and multiple users - how to best manage photos across multiple users

I'm trying to fiure out the best way to setup photo storage on my new iMac. I've been a mac user for many years but never used iPhoto, just managed the photos in the finder and dated the folder/events. I use Photoshop and other image editing apps from time to time too.
My biggest difficulty I'm running into is both my wife an I take a lot of pictures on our phones. We'd like to be able to access them equally but since we are set up as two diffenent users, I don't know the best way to download and access them.
Can anyone advise me if this is a good setup, or would ven work?
Move managed library to shared folder on mac so two users can access library?
will that cause problems?
can both users add photos from their iPhones via iPhoto on their respective accounts and have the new photos show up on the other users iPhoto app?
would the newly added photos sharing be automaticall be set to the folder sharing settings? ie, view and edit for both users?
This brings up other questions:
if i edit the photos with say photoshop, will the changes show up in iphoto?
would timemachine back the data up automatically?
when I upgrade to a new computer will everything work the same.
I'm sure I've missed something important so any advice would be great.
Thanks!

Many people using the Shared Folder find that they have permissions issues which mean that they 'other' user can't see some part of the Library. Therefore, if you want to share the Library in that way it's best moved to an external disk formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and set to ignore ownership and permissions.
can both users add photos from their iPhones via iPhoto on their respective accounts and have the new photos show up on the other users iPhoto app?
Yes.
would the newly added photos sharing be automaticall be set to the folder sharing settings? ie, view and edit for both users?
Yes.
if i edit the photos with say photoshop, will the changes show up in iphoto?
If you set this up corrrectly - You can set Photoshop (or any image editor) as an external editor in iPhoto. (Preferences -> General -> Edit Photo: Choose from the Drop Down Menu.) This way, when you double click a pic to edit in iPhoto it will open automatically in Photoshop or your Image Editor, and when you save it it's sent back to iPhoto automatically. This is the only way that edits made in another application will be displayed in iPhoto.
You will need to do this in both accounts.
would timemachine back the data up automatically?
TM can be set to back up externals. There are other options too, of course.
when I upgrade to a new computer will everything work the same.
Yes. Just plug in the extenal and point iPhoto at the external from the new machine.
Regards
TD

Sharing an iTunes Library across multiple user account and a network.

Sharing an iTunes Music Library across multiple user accounts.
Hello Everybody!
Firstly, this was designed to be run in Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger. It will not work with earlier versions of Mac OS X! Sorry.
Here's a handy tip for keeping your hard drive neat and tidy, it also saves space, what in effect will be done is an iTunes music library will be shared amongst multiple users on the same machine. There are advantages and disadvantages to using this method.
• Firstly I think it might be worthwhile to state the advantages and disadvantages to using this approach.
The advantages include:
- Space will be saved, as no duplicate files will occur.
- The administrator will be able to have complete control over the content of the iTunes library, this may be useful for restricting the content of the Library; particularly for example if computer is being used at and education institution, business or any other sort of institution where things such as explicit content would be less favorable.
- The machine will not be slowed by the fact that every user has lots of files.
The disadvantages to this system include.
- The fact that the account storing the music will have to be logged in, and iTunes will have to be active in that account.
- If the account housing the music is not active then nobody can use the iTunes library.
- There is a certain degree of risk present when an administrator account must be continually active.
- Fast User Switching must be enabled.
Overview:
A central account controls all music on the machine/network, this is achieved by storing iTunes files in a public location as opposed to in the user's directory. In effect the system will give all users across the machine/network access to the same music/files without the possibility of files 'doubling up' because two different users like the same types of music. This approach saves valuable disk space in this regard and may therefore prove to be useful in some situations.
This is a hearty process to undertake, so only follow this tutorial if you're willing to go all the way to the end of it.
Process:
Step 1:
Firstly, we need to organize the host library, I tidied mine up, removing excess playlists, random files, things like that. this will make thing a bit easier in the later stages of this process.
Once the library is tidied up, move the entire "iTunes" folder from your Home directory to the "//localhost" directory (The Macintosh HD) and ensure that files are on the same level as the "Applications", "Users", "Library" and "System" directories; this will ensure that the files in the library are available to all users on the machine (this also works for networks)
Optionally you can set the ownership of the folder to the 'administrator' account (the user who will be hosting the library.), you may also like to set the permissions of 'you can' to "Read & Write" (assuming that you are doing this through the user who will host the library); secondly you should set the "Owner" to the administrator who will be hosting the library and set their "access" to "Read & Write" (this will ensure that the administrator has full access to the folder). The final part of this step involves setting access for the "Others" tab to "Read Only" this will ensure that the other users can view but not modify the contents on the folder.
Overview:
So far we have done the following steps:
1. Organized the host library.
2. Placed the iTunes directory into a 'public' directory so that other users may use it. (this step is essential if you plan on sharing the library across multiple accounts on the same machine. NOTE: this step is only necessary if you are wanting to share you library across multiple accounts on the same machine, if you simply want to share the music across a network, use the iTunes sharing facility.
3. set ownership and permissions for the iTunes music folder.
Step 2:
Currently the administrator is the only user who can use this library, however we will address this soon. In this step we will enable iTunes music sharing in the administrator's account, this will enable other users to access the files in the library.
If you are not logged in as the administrator, do so; secondly, open iTunes and select "Preferences" from the "iTunes" menu, now click the "Sharing" tab, if "share my library on my local network" is not checked, the radio buttons below this will now become active, you may choose to share the entire libraries contents, or share only selected content.
Sharing only selected content may be useful if their is explicit content in the library and minors use the network or machine that the library is connected to.
If you have selected "share entire library" go to Step 3, if you have selected share "share selected playlists" read on.
After clicking "share selected playlists" you must then select the playlists that you intend to share across your accounts and network. Once you have finished selecting the playlists, click "OK" to save the settings.
Overview:
In this step we:
1. Enabled iTunes sharing in the administrator's account, now, users on the local network may access the iTunes library, however, users on the same machine may not.
Step 3:
Now we will enable users on the same machine to access the library on the machine. This is achieved by logging in as each user, opening iTunes, opening iTunes preferences, and clicking "look for shared music". now all users on the machine may also access the library that the administrator controls.
This in effect will mean that the user will not need to use their user library, it will be provided to them via a pseudo network connection.
As a secondary measure, I have chosen to write a generic login script that will move any content from the user's "Music/iTunes/iTunes Music" directory to the trash and then empties the user's trash.
This is done through the use of an Automator Application: this application does the following actions.
1. Uses the "Finder" action "Get Specified Finder Items"
1a. The user's "~/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music" folder
2. Uses the "Finder" action "Get Folder Contents"
3. Uses the "Finder" action "Move to Trash"
4. Uses the "Automator" action "Run AppleScript"
4a. with the following:
on run {input, parameters}
tell application "Finder"
empty trash
end tell
return input
end run
IMPORTANT: Once the script is adapted to the user account it must be set as a login item. in order to keep the script out of the way i have placed it in the user's "Library" directory, in "Application Support" under "iTunes".
Overview:
Here we:
1. Enabled iTunes sharing in the user accounts on the host machine, in effect allowing all users of the machine to view a single iTunes library.
2. (Optional) I have created a login application that will remove any content that has been added to user iTunes libraries, this in effect stops other users of the machine from adding music and files to iTunes.
Step 4:
If it is not already enabled, open system preferences and enable Fast User Switching in Accounts Options.
Summary:
We have shared a single iTunes library across multiple user account, while still allowing for network sharing. This method is designed to save space on machines, particularly those with smaller hard drives.
I hope that this hint proves to be helpful and I hope everybody will give me feedback on my process.
regards,
Pete.
iBook G4; 60GB Hard Drive, 512MB RAM, Airport Extreme Mac OS X (10.4.6) iWork & iLife '06, Adobe CS2, Final Cut Pro. Anything and Everything!!!

how to share music between different accounts on a single computer

Manage windows across multiple displays?

Anyone know of a solution to manage windows across multiple desktops? I was thinking of something similar to the ability to have certain apps open in certain spaces, as you can do in the Spaces preferences. I frequently use mirroring of my displays and then revert back to having both displays have separate desktop (its a HTPC mac). A script to move all windows back to the main display after I revert back from mirroring would be great.

Actually, if you don't mind having two copies of the content files on the computer (one set for each user account), using home sharing between the two accounts to transfer the music into her account might be the best way to go.
For the basic technique, see Chris CA's post:
iTunes Home Sharing now works between users on same computer
Once you've got the connection set up and you're in her account, when displaying the library you're transferring music from (the library in your account), for your later transfers go down to the bottom of the screen and in "Show:" select "Items not in my library".
Once your music has transfered across to her library, she can delete the music from her library that she doesn't want. (That shouldn't affect the music in your library.)
If you add music to your iTunes library, you can do the same to bring her library up-to-date with the new stuff (or vice versa, if she gets music into her library that you'd quite like in yours).

How do I share iTunes with multiple users on Mac mini?

How do I share iTunes with multiple users on Mac mini?

You have to turn on Sharing and then Authenticate Sharing on the other devices. You can have up to 5.

How do you share Aperture file across multiple users on same Mac?

How do you share Aperture file across multiple users on same Mac? Seems this should be a preferences choice.

When you share your library between users, you may run into permission and ownership problems, if both users are editing the Aperture library and not only reading it. To avoid that, it helps to put the Aperture library onto a separate disk or a separate partion of your hard drive. For s separate partition or disk you can enable the "ignore ownership on this volume" flag. Then all users can access the library as owners of this library.
You might try to put the aperture library into a shared folder on your mac, but that has caused problems recently, i.e. when the library also contains video files.
Regards
Léonie

Enforce Default Printer Presets Across Multiple Users

Hi
Please could anyone tell me if there is a way to enforce the default printer preset across multiple users on the same computer for a network attached printer?
I want to make sure that all of my family who each have separate accounts all print using greyscale by default.
I would like to do this without copying plists about. I was hoping that there is some global way to do it as an administrator.
TIA

Hello Ian,
I did a couple of simple tests on this topic and from what I can see there is no easy way for this to be done. The preferences (plists) are being saved in each users preference, and depending on which printer you are using the located and format for this preference is not easily copied.
Unless there is a third party app (or something I missed) then I don't see a simple solution to this.
Regards,
Paul

ITunes library synchronization across multiple users on one computer

I've got a PC running MS XP/Home, with a separate user account for each family member. I also repointed all the iTunes library file pointers to the SAME file on the "D" hard drive (taking all that pressure off the "C" drive, which is filling up!)--so each iTunes incarnation for each user points to the same (master) file.
But when I download music from the Music Store into the library from my user account, it doesn't show up in the iTunes library listing when my daughter logs in using her account--and she can't download it to her iPod.
Why? I bought it for her; why should she have to download it? It's all on one computer!
Is it that iTunes really can't handle multiple users on one computer??????? I don't get it...this isn't any copyright or license issue.
I'd appreciate any tips to get the iTunes on one user's account to "restudy" the library to see if it's been changed by another user. We're all one family on our one computer!
--DaveTh
VAIO Windows XP
VAIO Windows XP

See this thread for answers: http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=1285867#1285867
Post back here with questions if you have any.

ITunes Match, multiple users/libraries

I've poked around a bit, and can't find a clean answer to my question.
My situation is three users, a couple of shared devices, and several ipods/iphones. To this point, we have used one apple id for everything. But each user has pretty specific tastes, so three fairly divergent music libraries. I want each user to be able to manage their library in the cloud most effectively without merging. iTunes Match, however, doesn't differentiate by library. If I turn it on for everyone, everyone's music gets mashed together, including play counts and playlists.
My next solution was to just give everyone their own apple id, and pay for each person to have music match. However, when I tried this last night, as I activated a new id, I was told my computer was already associated with an Apple ID, and that ID would be locked out for 90 days in terms of iTM.
My conclusion is that there is no way to have multiple users manage their libraries independently using iTunes Match. Is this correct? Does anyone know of anyone work arounds? Am I missing a setting somewhere?
Thanks

Each user on each computer will have to set iTUnes to use the external as the library location.
Next depends on what you want to do. Move all files to external then using iTunes add the files to iTunes library again. Empty library in iTunes then add files to library recreating library from scratch.
All users will have to maintain each library separately even though all files will be in same place and accessible to all users. When one person adds something to their own library the other ones will not know it. If someone else wants those files also then they will have to use add folder or add file option to add the files to their own library. It should not duplicate the files on the drive but is sometimes does when you do this. Deleting files or renaming them can be problematic if one user deleted a file another user has in library it will affect both. Podcasts are an exception, these will always duplicate if multiple users subscribe. This allows individual management of episodes.

ITunes Issues - Multiple Users/Libraries

I am experiencing several issues that revolve around multiple users, multpile iPods and two networked computers. To describe the situation - I have two computers networked with an external drive connected to the main computer. My wife, my son, and I are all users of the computers, we all have our own iPods and it seems like we have multiple libraries out there. I am looking for a solution to do the following: Consolidate all of the libraries into one shared library that all of us can use located on the external drive (due to size constraints and trasportability). The external drive is a plug and play type device with ample space for this. SOme of the issues I have are some songs appear in one iTunes list with a gray exclamation point in front of them and then you have to go searching for the proper folder/library to locate the file, so obviously there are multiple libraries/folders. I believe this has everything to do with my sons "ability" to fix things on the computer. Can anyone direct me to or provide me with a solution to this dilemma? Is there a way to consolidate these without creating multiple copies of the same songs (this has also occurred in the past when my son was solving things. Sorry for the long description but I am trying to provide as much info as necessary.

Each user on each computer will have to set iTUnes to use the external as the library location.
Next depends on what you want to do. Move all files to external then using iTunes add the files to iTunes library again. Empty library in iTunes then add files to library recreating library from scratch.
All users will have to maintain each library separately even though all files will be in same place and accessible to all users. When one person adds something to their own library the other ones will not know it. If someone else wants those files also then they will have to use add folder or add file option to add the files to their own library. It should not duplicate the files on the drive but is sometimes does when you do this. Deleting files or renaming them can be problematic if one user deleted a file another user has in library it will affect both. Podcasts are an exception, these will always duplicate if multiple users subscribe. This allows individual management of episodes.

Problem with iTunes and multiple user accounts in Windows

I am running iTunes on a PC (Windows XP) and have multiple user accounts. When I switch between user accounts and try to open iTunes, I get a message that tells me I can't open the program because another user is using it. Is it really true that I can only have iTunes open in one user account at a time on a PC with multiple user accounts ?!? If not, what am I doing wrong?

You are right, can only have one open. You have to log out of a user before logging in to another user to use iTunes. Do not use the fast user switching ability of Windows.

One iTunes Library, Multiple Users

Is it possible to have one iTunes library (say the Administer's iTunes library) and share it with multiple users on the same computer?
Thanks.
Mick

See if this helps: iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer

ITunes with multiple users

Hi, I have a friend that just bought a mac mini. He is going to set up Multiple user accounts on it but he wants all of the users to be able to use the same itunes Library. How does he set this up. Does he put the libary in the shared folder?

This should help:
iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer
Note that when it says "publicly accessible location", it needs to be a place where everyone has read and write access. The most common such place is the Shared folder in the Users folder.

File sharing across multiple user accounts on the same machine

Hello,
I try to figure out how multiple users (my wife and I) on the same mac can have equal access to files on the local drive without granting that access to all users on that machine or even the rest of the world.
My research sofar hasn't come up with a satisfying solution. Here are the solutions that I am looking at:
1. Enable a permission system that ensures access to both users in all cases (file/directory creation, copy and move).
I only found a suitable solution for creating and copying files/directories but not for moving them.
See the following articles for reference:
https://discussions.apple.com/message/20787617#20787617 Setting up a shared structure that works e.g. for iPhoto Library but not for moving files to and from
https://discussions.apple.com/message/4005647#4005647 Helpful information on POSIX Permissions, ACL's an Permission inheritance
This would be my first choice if I can get around the problem of moving files...
2. Disk Image
Create a disk image which ignores persmissions and set permissions for the file that contains the image instead.
Read this article to get further details: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1198
This solution will work but has a few disadvatages:
There's no mutual access from multiple user accounts since an image may only be mounted by one user at a time.
One has to create a startup script that mounts the image upon login which would create a first come first serve for access to the image content.
3. Using a file sharing protocol (e.g. afp or smb) locally.
The idea behind it is to have a server providing the files mutually to multiple users one the same machine. At them moment this seems to be the most promising approach to me.
Unfortunately I can get acces from another machine but not from the same machine. Has anyone ever tried to access the file sharing (afp or smb) from the same machine on which the server is located?
Has anyone got some helpful hints for me?
Thanks in advance.

Sorry, but you didn't specify details, and it was worth checking whether or not you had overlooked this approach.
The problem you're having (as I suppose you already know) is that any new disk item inherits the permissions of the folder it is originally created in in. These permissions (sensibly enough) need owner or administrator permission to change once they've been established; that will happen when you copy a file to a new location (because that's essentially creating a new file) but not when you move it. any of the following would work:
changing the permissions on newly created files for both users so that they all explicitly give r/w access to a particular group.
writing a droplet that would change the permissions of files dropped on it and move them programmatically to the shared folder
set up a folder action or launchd job that would watch the shared folder and automatically convert permissions on files placed in it.
The last would be the approach I would take, but... which appeals to you?

Sharing the same keychain across multiple user accounts

Hello, Anyone know how to do this? Thanks in advance!

I have tried, without success to share a keychain between two accounts. In Keychain Access -> Edit -> Keychain List there is a Shared checkbox next to each keychain. If I click on that, the keychain disappears from the list of Keychains that you see when you open Keychain Access (and if necessary, click on Show Keychains). The keychain does not show up on any other account, either. The keychain is still there in ~/Library/Keychains.
Seems pretty useless, as does Apple's article "Mac OS X 10.4 Help -- Administering keychains for multiple user" at <http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.4/en/mh1775.html>.
Some idiot in the security world recommended that we split our account into administrator and non-administrator, and normally log on only to the non-administrator account. This forces me to try to share files, folder, and keychains, so I can get any work done while logged on from the administrator account. Mostly, I don't think Unix, or Mac OS X, was designed to share things. (This is not a Mac versus PC statement. I only have one account on the PCs I'm forced to use at work -- it may be just as hard or harder on a PC.)
This security advice is stupid! Don't do it. Do everything on one account or you will waste hours and hours trying to bridge the gap between them.
But I would like to know how to share a keychain, since Apple's help files SAY you can. Only it does not work.

Manage iTunes across multiple users

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