Multiple Users all able to Sync iTunes libraries?

I am using OS X Tiger server as the hub of a home network and have a dilemma that I can't seem to think up a solution for:
2 Users using PHD to store files between notebooks and central server.
Want to provide iTunes and iPhoto libraries to both users in a way that will allow PHD to keep the materials in sync across all three systems.
Anyone have any ideas?
I would just do a network share and change where apps look for media but then when away from home there is no local copy.

HomeSync (PHD) is not designed to share files at all. It is only meant to help manage mobile users and their files.
Assuming you want to share files between legitimate owners of the files- if you want to sync something other than home directories, you will have to use a 3rd party application There are many of them out there (Chronosync, zsCompare, DeJa Vu to name a few). Use Versiontracker.com to find what fits your needs and budget.
Hope this helps.
_Brett

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Multiple Users....One iTunes Library

I am looking find a easier solution to a iTunes multiple user problem I have encountered.Firstly I have followed the steps outlined on numerous articles here to move the music content out of the home folder and move it to the first level of the harddrive and to link all users to this library through the advanced option within iTunes. This I can do no problem and works fine for using the on music content between two users.
Now here is where I am looking for assistance...At the moment when I link the second user to this music library, I must input all playlists and song ratings from scratch. I would like to move my iTunes preferences from one user to the other.Basically I have one music library that is many playlists broken down by artists and also this music is rated. I would like to be able to have this info move across to the other user also.
I have tried a few things to solve this but the end result was moving playlist/song ratings from the main user to the second user....which would have been perfect, but the main user lost this info when I attempted this.
Is this possible....sorry for the long winded explanation and I do hope you can understand the problem that I am trying to explain

Brent, A key is to understand the difference between a library and the music folder. The iTunes Library file is a file that acts as a directory or catalog for a music collection. The Music Folder is where the actual holdings, or files, of the music collection are stored. When you set the music folder location in Preferences:Advanced, you tell iTunes where to store future music files you add to your holdings. Apparently, you have iTunes set up so different user accounts are saving new music files to the same music folder. However, those different users are each using their own library file, and that's why you're not sharing the same directory information across different user accounts.
What you have to do is get each user account to use the same library file, which for at least all but the first user is not going to be the default iTunes Library file that is automatically created in each user's iTunes folder. That is what the instructions in the previous post involving launching iTunes with the Option key accomplish.
iMac G4 17; iBook G4 1.33 Mhz 14; iPod 3G 20GB Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Syncing iTunes libraries between 2 computers

Does anyone know how to sync iTunes between 2 computers? I have 2 macs in my home (one with an external drive that holds all of my music). I can get both computers to see and operate from the music files in a single location but I can't seem to figure out how to have any changes to my library, playlists, etc. made on one computer to automatically show up on the other in iTunes. Does this have something to do with the iTunes library.itl file?
If so, do I have to copy the iTunes library.itl file from the computer on which I have made the most recent changes and then delete this file from the other computer and drop the recently modified iTunes library.itl file into the music folder on the unmodified computer? Will this effectively sync both libraries? If so, is there a program that will automatically schedule this procedure for me. I am in the process of sorting through 5000+ duplicates (fun, I know) and I don't want to do it twice.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Chris

Thanks guys. The shared music works fine but as noted in the second response, playlists, etc. are not available on both computers at the same time. I like jase's suggestion, but since I will only need to copy one iTunes library file & paste over another to keep both libraries in sync, I think that will be the way to go. I will give the alias library file a whirl because that may work fine since both computers can make changes. I do not have the concern of both computers using the files at the same time. Only one computer will every use it. My mac mini core duo is in with my theater rack stuff. Everything is played from there. My iMac G5 is at my desk. I just need them in sync because it is infinately easier to make changes sitting at a desk than it is with a keyboard and mouse on my lap on a couch from 15 feet away from the screen.
Thanks for the feedback.
Chris
P.S. - Has anyone heard of the bluetooth trackball called "The Ball" from Chwang Yi? I want to buy it, and the website claims to sell it - I just can't seem to find a single link leading to a purchase page of any kind. Any thoughts?

Auto Sync iTunes Libraries between Macbook and Mac Mini?

I download and store all of my music on my Mac book. But I would like to know if it is possible to make it so that, if I add 3 songs to my macbook, my Mac Mini will reflect the same changes, and vice versa. Kind of like what Mobile Me does with iCal and Contacts.
So If I add a song on my Macbook, my home network would transfer the song to my Mac Mini and update the iTunes library?
And I'd rather not use an external network drive to keep my library on, because I need my music physically on my Macbook.
Is this possible?
Thanks in advance.

There are a few utilities specifically designed to help you sync iTunes across different computers. You could begin your research by having a look at these for instance:
TuneRanger
SuperSync
syncOtunes

How to sync iTunes libraries on multiple machines without copying music

Background:
I have 4 machines running iTunes 9, all authorized with the same account. All music is on a networked storage device (NSA). Each iTunes points to the NSA for music files. Each user on each machine has their own local iTunes library for individualized playlists, etc. When music is purchased, regardless of machine, it is automatically downloaded onto the NSA. We have deselected the Advanced preference "Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library". Our goal is to have one live copy of our music rather than multiple copies sprinkled about all 4 machines. We do periodic backups of the NSA.
Question:
How do I get all the iTunes user libraries on all 4 machines to automatically reflect new music purchases? The library of the purchaser is updated just fine, but no one else's is. The Home Sharing Settings option updates the library, but it also copies over the music, defeating the purpose of one copy.
Thanks in advance!

When I first moved to OS X I decided that all of my/our music should be in one library, with one Apple ID for purchasing/playback and iPod syncing, located someplace other than each user's home folder. Using an alias of the destination folder worked as long as we were all on one machine.
Later when we acquired a second machine the setup was similar, except that the library was on an external HD attached to the newer/faster machine and accessed over our home network. The drawback of this method is that the machine with the library on it has to be up and running (of course).
We've finally moved further into the digital world by purchasing a network drive (NAS to be precise - a My Book World II for those who wish to know), upgraded our router and network switch to GB, and have a third iMac on its way (thank you eBay).
All of our music (the library we started years ago), all of our pictures, and other miscellaneous things reside on the NAS, which is also used for TimeMachine backups (on the non public volume). The idea being that any of us can access any of the media or documents as we need or want to.
Apparently (or I've missed something simple) Apple, in their wisdom, doesn't believe that a setup like ours (and apparently others as well) should exist. That each user and/or each machine, should have their/its very own music library that no one else can have FULL access to.
Home Sharing doesn't allow what I/we've been setting up from the first day we added music to our library. Sure it lets everyone with their own library to listen to other's library's that are up and running (i.e. the machine is on, and iTunes is running).
What we want to do is have all of our machines (the two, soon to be three, iMac's and one PC running XP) access the *same library* with full read/write/burn access AT THE SAME TIME! Hence the logic in purchasing a NAS. What we can't do is have iTunes running on more than ONE machine at a time since the other network users/machines receive this message:
The iTunes Library file is locked, on a locked disk, or you do not have write permission for this file.
Which is certainly not the case since each user/machine can access, read, write, and burn from the above library at will as long as they are the only person doing so.
Changing the permissions on the library file doesn't stick (probably because its on the NAS), otherwise I would have done that and you wouldn't be reading this.
Thanks for any help anyone can give.

No Longer Able to Sync itunes to ipod

I recently needed to re-install Tiger. After re-installing, I ran all on-line upgrades to ensure I had the latest software for my mac. When attempting to open itunes, I was prompted to upgrade my version of QuickTime, which I did. I was then able to successfully open itunes; however, when I attempt to sync it to my ipod, I receive the message "This computer is no longer authorized to play purchased items that are on... Would you like to authorize this computer for items purchased from the itunes store?" I then click on "Authorize," and am prompted for my AppleID and password. After entering this information, I get the message "This computer is already authorized," with "Including this one, you have authorized one computer of your available 5." I click "OK" then the cycle of messages starts again. My ipod is never synced. I tried suggestions I've read on the internet and your website, trying things like "Deauthorize All" and clicking on a purchased song. All my songs have one and only account name associated with them and they are the correct name. I'm at my wits end trying to figure this out. Has anyone come up with a workable solution? TIA!

I did as you suggested. I closed itunes and ran Disk Utility, then repaired permissions. This did indeed repair permissions on a variety of apps including itunes. I then restarted my mac, opened itunes, attached my ipod (which is and has been recognized by itunes), but still experienced the same cycle of authorization errors/messages. Any other thoughts?

I want to delete all music not Syncing, iTune want to delete everything

I want to delete all music in my iPhone to gain space as I do not use it for listening music anyway.
My old computer was stolen and now when I plug my iPhone in itune and try syncing ZERO music it say it will erease everything.
I fear it will remove my Apps, apps data, photo and most importantly I fear it will change the order of my icons.
I do not have ticked anything but "Sync music" will it delete all music or EVERYTHING ?
Someone told me I should use WinSCP to delete the file manually,
Any help would be greatly apreciated.

I believe MediMonkey will do that. It requires iTunes to be installed, but you don't need to open iTunes or anything.
http://www.mediamonkey.com/information/free/
It is free but only available for PC and not for mac.
I used to use it when I had a PC, and I think you can just select all the iPhone music on it and delete it.

Recently I have not been able to sync itunes radio with my wireless audio player. What happened?

I cannot get itunes radio to sync with my wireless audio system. It was working until recently and now only downloaded music will play. Is this a function of the system or did itunes do something?

Hi,
Here is a suggestion from Carolyn Samit that worked for this problem with iPads - see if following her instructions clears up the problem with your iPhone:
Launch iTunes with your iPhone connected to your Mac. Make sure the iPad is listed under Devices on the left side of the iTunes window.
From your iTunes menu bar click iTunes / Preferences then select the Devices tab.
If there is more then one backup available, delete all but one.
Restart your iPhone. Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until the red slider appears. Slide your finger across the slider to turn off iPhone. To turn iPhone back on, press and hold the Sleep/Wake until the Apple logo appears.
Restart your Mac.
Try to sync now.
Hope this works for you!
Cheers,
GB

How to sync itunes libraries between two to MacBook pros?

I there an easy and efficient way to keep my music in sync between any two apple machines, I.e. iMac and MBP?

Home Sharing can help.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3819
A how-to tutorial:
http://www.ehow.com/how_8617573_sync-library-between-mac-pc.html

How to sync two libraries in to a third library?

I have a MacBook pro with two user-accounts, each with separate iTunes-libraries. I'm also building a Home Theater PC using Mac mini. Now, I would like to have the contents of the two iTunes-libraries on the MBP on the Mac mini. How do I do that?
Ideally, whenever someone adds content to one of those two libraries, it's automatically copied over to the mini. They could be copied to the "Automatically add to iTunes"-folder on the mini, so they would be automatically added to the iTunes-library on that machine.
Note: this would only be one-way syncing. The two libraries on the MBP can remain separate, and they would not be receiving any content from each other or from the library on the Mini.
This sounds simple, but it's not. I have looked at Folder Actions and Automator, but there doesn't seem to be an easy solution to this. I don't really know AppleScript, so I don't know how to script this. Currently I'm looking at third-party apps to handle this (like TuneRanger: http://www.acertant.com/web/tuneranger/default.htm), but it seems that those apps do not handle this automatically requiring manual work to move the content over.
I would be more than willing to accept suggestions. Either scripts, third-party apps.... anything! Or am I really the only person with a problem like this?
Some of you might be asking "why not simply stream the libraries to the mini?". Yes, that would be simplest solution. But I want the content to be available independently, without the MBP. If I'm lazying in the couch, I want to be able to access that content without having to turn the MBP on and/or launch iTunes on it.
thanks in advance

Use Windows Media Player ?to sync. Each device has it's own sync properties. What you are trying to do is a feature of that software. I do not use the Creative software at all...only the Zencast Organizer (as I needed a podcast aggregator anyway).

Using an iPod with multipule iTunes libraries

I'll just start with this, about everywhere in my house is surround sound speakers and my family decided it was getting very very annoying to dig around the hundreds of CDs we have for different occasions... you know, party music, holiday music, etc. So my family decided that we would go and buy either one or two iPod Classics probably 80GB each... Now are house is defiantly compatible with the iPod for playing but where my real question comes in is it possible to have one iPod to 4 different iTunes libraries. See each of my family members has there own collection of music in iTunes, three of our family had minis and the other a nano, so we are in need of some new iPods. Anyway I was wondering is it possible to combine all 4 of our iTunes libraries so that we each have each others music, and that when we sync the iPod Classic regardless of which of the 4 computers it may be it will be able to fully sync as if each computer was its home computer.
Thanks

See here and here for information.
(24874)

Create shortcuts for different iTunes libraries?

My wife and I share a single Windows 7 User account but have separate iTunes libraries. It can be a hassle holding the shift button to bring up the option to switch between the libraries. Is there was a way to create a shortcut for each so I can just click on one to open my library and she can click on another for hers? Is that possible?

"Should iTunes be separately D/L'ed and installed on each account?"
No. You can create different users or put all the music together in one library and sync by playlists.
"Can you Home Share from one library to another on the same machine?"
No. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203

How to allow multiple users login to a MAC PRO without interruption?

I have a mac pro, which runs Yosemite, (2013 module) to be used as a server. However, I have difficult to let multiple users to use the mac simultaneously.
Objective:
    One person uses the mac directly on his desktop, while the others to login remotely though VNC from PC (win 7/Linux).
    The users have their own workspace, and they will not interrupt each other.
What I tried:
    I created two mange accounts on the MAC.
    Account 1 was used to directly login on the mac desktop.
    Account 2 was used to login to the mac from a PC though VNC. (I also tried this from a Centos workstation with the Tiger VNC viewer)
Problem:
When account 2 is login, the location monitor will automatically change to that account as well. Both accounts shared exactly the same screen, mouse & keyboard actions. It is impossible to let multiple users to use the MAC pro simultaneously without interruptions.
If I use "hdiutil attach" to mount a dmg file though SSH with account 2, the folder will automatically show in the local desktop login with account 1.
Question:
I read something about the "Per-user screen sharing". It says, "You can remotely log into a Mac with any user account on that computer and control it, without interrupting someone else who might be using the computer under a different login." Is it possible to do this from a PC or Linux client?
If the problem is simply due to the poor functionality of the build-in VNC service in Yosemite, I appreciate your help to suggest some other decent VNC server for Yosemite. I know the Vine Server (OSXvnc), but I failed to install it on the mac because it is incompatible with the Yosemite.
Does the SSH is supposed to work in this way in OSX? I mean the local account can see the folder mounted by another account though SSH.
If any specific version of Yosemite is required to allow multiple users to access a mac simultaneously? Just as the win 7 professional allow only one user to login in at each time. But with the remote desktop server of windows, multiple users are able to use the same computer at the same time without any problem.
If you familiar with any of the above questions, please help. Any comments and suggestions are appreciated.
I know the best way to get the solution is to direct call the apple support. However, it is really not easy to call them. Because it always results with long waiting time and then the people pick up the phone will transfer my call to an expert who will make me to describe the problem again.
Since I'm not interested in the technique details of all the problems, it is also grateful if you would provide a direct instruction to let me setup the computer for the purpose.
Thanks you very much for your kindly help.

I cannot help with the screen sharing, although I have just tried it with a RealVNC client on an iPad and it seemed to work OK.
However on the disk showing on all users desk tops have you unchecked the "ignore ownership on this volume" check box? You can check the drives permissions with CMD i command.

Problems with 1 icloud account and multiple users.

We have multiple users all on 1 icloud so we can share apps but also see what people have installed and because IT control the password its upto us what apps get installed. So in that sense this was a good idea. The problem we are having is that the iphone users photos, messages and other things are becoming available on other iphones on this 1 icloud account. So for example one user went on her photos to discover someone elses photos was in their and then also had messages from a contact who only her manager has (also one of the icloud users)
Is there any settings we could change to keep the 1 icloud acount but make it so peoples photos and messages dont sync.

Yes, you can turn off photos in icloud. (settings - icloud- photos)
You can also allow users to use their own apple id's for imessages and facetime. Unlike icloud those can be changed any time, so that does not present security problem. Settings -messages and settings- facetime.
If you dead set on using same apple id, you can make sure that every user only has their phone number checked in messages, so everyone has to go to settings- messages- send and receive and uncheck apple id.

HELP! Deleted iPhoto and iTunes Libraries by changing name?!?!?

Hey guys,
My friend had two user accounts on his Mac. One was "Chris" and one was "Katie". The only one that was ever used was "Chris". Since his wife used the Mac a lot more than he did he thought it would be funny to change the user name from "Chris" to "Katie's Big Mac". The short name was not changed at all. He then deleted "Katie". I guess that deleted all the iPhoto and iTunes Libraries. But that was it.
Does any one know why it did this? I told her to look under Users: Chris: Music: iTunes: iTunes Music: and all of the old files were there. She dragged one of the files over and dropped it in iTunes to copy it over and then she went back to get more and they all disappeared from the folder iTunes Music. I didn't tell her to do this she did it on her own.
The iPhoto Library is totally empty though. Does anyone know why this happened and how to fix it?
Thanks in advance.
Ammon
PM G5 Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Okay it's fixed now. All he did was change the old names back to the way they were, recreate "Katie", and it all came back. He had to reload the libraries for iPhoto and iTunes but that was it. All other prefs are fine. But the weird part is that now the files that were in Chris are now in Katie. Thanks for your help.
Ammon

Multiple Users all able to Sync iTunes libraries?

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