Managing sole iTunes library with multiple machines on-the-go with database&media on external drive?

Hi fellows. Trying to organize & revamp my iTunes library & wish to achieve a configuration but lack the expertise to achieve it. My objectives are:
Objectives
+1. for my multimedia content to be stored/accessed from an external hard disk+
+2. to keep the entire iTunes multimedia & all necessary operating files as self-contained as possible,+
+3. Allow multiple machines to manage import of new content into library, i.e. download new episodes of podcasts, rip new music & movies into the library, sync-ing of iPod even when said machine is nowhere near my external hard disk (this is the tricky one)+
_Justification for my objectives_
For objective #3, it's not that I'm trying to be funny. My use case is I've 1 laptop (main machine & always at home) & 1 netbook (brought to school daily). Most of my iTunes usage will be via the stay-at-home laptop; but I may wish to add/manage new content onto my iTunes library/iPod while I'm outside (hence, decoupled from my external hard disk at home).
I'm not trying to be funny for objective #1 either. I wish to have a streamlined process of retaining & re-instating my iTunes library meta-data across system re-format, i.e. where the iTunes library db files' location may be changed (most obvious being the new "My Music" folder path in Win7 from WinXP)
_What I'm well aware of_
I understand that storing/re-locating multimedia on external hard disk is no-kick to iTunes veteran. I also understand that after a new installation of iTunes, I can move the fresh copy of "iTunes_library.itl" & "iTunes_library.xml" files to my external volume & point iTunes to their new address from the 2nd launch onwards. I also understand any new machines I introduce into my environment can be directed to that exact copy of iTunes library database files when I install iTunes & pressing "Shift" key upon their launch. Lastly, I also understand that I will have no access to my multimedia files (for playback) while I'm outside, but I can still add new content, & download new podcasts & remove old content from my library/iPod
_The question_
However, what I have difficulty achieving, is launching iTunes on my on-the-go machine(s), without a local copy of the iTunes library database files. I doubt iTunes will be able to launch at all, & if I create a new library (just to launch iTunes), it will not possess content from my main media collection & likely to wipe out my iPod.
_My novice attempt & its inadequacies_
My 1st instinct, is to have the iTunes library database files stored in the cloud. More specifically, I can store them files in my DropBox folder/account, & have every machine update to a single latest version of iTunes library database files upon Internet connection. However, this method depends on:
+* the DropBox application to exist forever,+
+* assumed the installation path of DropBox (or any applications for that matter) to persist/remain unchanged across future versions of operating systems,+
+* Will corrupt any un-sync-ed version of my iTunes library database files when I launched iTunes without 1st updating the local cached copy of them database files (suppose I manage my iPod playlists via iTunes on a plane)+
_Open for recommendations_
So here I'm, all ears to any fine recommendations you iTunes veterans have to offer. Thanx in advance.

In case anyone is interested in these sorta thing:
UPDATE #4: Unfortunately, if you discover you tagged something wrong after importing the songs, even when you correct the tags, iTunes will not re-organize the folder hierarchy, as long as “Keep iTunes Music folder organized“ is UNchecked, even if the songs were imported via the “Automatically add to iTunes folder” channel.
Example: I imported a folder of Andy Lau songs into my library, unbeknownst to me, some of the songs had their “Artist” tagged as “Andy Lau“, while some had theirs tagged as “Liu De Hua“. Naturally, the 1st time round I imported them, 2 separate folders were instantiated as to iTunes, those were names of 2 distinct artists (this is expected, & acceptable behaviour). The downside is, even if I re-tagged all those songs with “Andy Lau” as the artist, iTunes will no longer re-organize & consolidate all them songs into a single “Andy Lau” artist folder (because I’d “Keep iTunes Music folder organized” UNchecked remember?)
Well, you may suggest that I check that option when managing my future library & uncheck it right before launching/using my main, current library. The thing is, iTunes preferences persist across libraries, & one day I will forget to uncheck that option, launch my main library & lose all my current music folder structure to iTunes’ re-organization (which I don;t want, as of yet). Which brings me to another update:
UPDATE #5: My future iTunes library has “I:/iTunes_Media” as iTunes’s “Home” folder. This setting persists even when I switch back to my main, current library. Which means, if I’d my external volume connected while launching/using my main, current library, all new content will end up in that folder on the external volume! Which messes up the whole scheme of things! Arghz!
UPDATE #6: Here’re some updates with regards to ID3 tags:
* the “Album Artist” in Windows (7) Explorer = the “Album Artist” field in iTunes 9
* Modifying a ID3 tag field using Windows (7) Explorer will update BOTH the v1 & v2.3 version of the ID3 tags on the song (if the song has both versions of tags embedded & if the field exists in both tag versions). If you update the tags via iTunes, only the v2.3 tags get updated. This is surprising.
* the “Contributing Artist” field in Windows (7) Explorer = the “Artist” field in iTunes 9 & the “Artist” field in ID3v1 tags (changes in tany of the 3 fields will affect the other 2 respectively)
o However, iTunes Media folder organization will only adhere to the value saved in the “Album Artist” field [if you change the value of "Contributing Artist" in Windows (7) Explorer, the "Artist" field in iTunes or the "Artist" field in a song's ID3v1 tags, no folder re-organization will occur]
UPDATE #7: Some updates with regards to workflow:
Decided to retain all non-music content within a sub-folder named “non-music” beneath the main album folder (& take strict precautions to import songs only). The exception is “m3u” playlist files. Have read elsewhere if you import a folder of songs & there’s an “m3u” playlist inside, your library may have duplicates and/or the tags of those songs you just imported could be screwed, etc.

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http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93195

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Troy Yoho wrote:
Can iTunes run at the same time on 2 machines and access the same library?
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eyeinit,
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How to share Itunes library with multiple users on same laptop

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(33546)

Sharing an iTunes library between multiple accounts on one machine

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It's a misunderstanding that setting the 'iTunes Music folder location' tells iTunes to look at that location.
The iTunes Music folder location is the location where your next imported CD is stored. The song locations however are stored inside the 'iTunes Library' file which is in ./Users/YourUsername/Music/iTunes.
Moving the music folder to another location without 'telling' iTunes normally will lead to loss of links. You will see exclamation marks before the song name, telling that iTunes can't find the files.
Recent versions of iTunes can track a moved folder, when it's moved on the same disk.
The other users will not see this music. You have to copy the 'iTunes Library' file and put it in the iTunes folder of the other user(s).
--edit
Instead of copying the 'iTunes Library' file, you can add the entire music folder to each users library.
This will enable every user to apply their own rating (which is not stored in the song file, but in the 'iTunes Library' file).
--end of edit
They will then have full access to the library, which means, every user can add and delete music from the shared library.
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iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer
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Message was edited by: macmenno

How to restore my old Itunes Library WITH the DATA (plays & date added) from a time machine

Hi,
I recently got my macbook fixed through the apple store and the repairers replaced my hardrive, therefore wiping my computer of all its infor, including my Itunes library. Luckily, I had everything backed up on my time machine.
My question is how I can put back all my music into Itunes but also restore my data such as ratings, date added, and number of plays. Of course, I just want all my music back on my computer but stuff like this is what makes my library unique and personal to me. I enjoy listening to my music in order of when I downloaded them, bringing me back to specific experiences and times of my life where I enjoyed the group of songs, but I cannot do that when my Itunes has the "date added" of my songs all on the same date (the date that I'm putting my music back on).
Is there any way to take my itunes from library from my time machine and restore that back onto my itunes? (I've recently updated my Itunes too)
Please, anything helps!
Thanks!

whosurBrendan wrote:
I was also previously having problems doing a full system restore from my most recent backup.
Depending on what kind of problems, they may be damaged.
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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

Managing sole iTunes library with multiple machines on-the-go with database&media on external drive?

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