Setting up multiple itunes users

Ok so i'll be making my first step into the Applesphere this Christmas with a new iphone for myself and ipods for my two kids. Having never used itunes before the task of getting setup is a little daunting. I want to know the best way of setting up so all our music libraries are separate and ensure the kids are unable to access anything on there ipod touch that they shouldn't when on the app store.
I am also looking to sign up for imatch as i'd like to access my music on multiple devices and wonder how this works and any issues with multiple users. There may be times when i'd be happy to share some of my music with the kids and sometimes not.
So basically how do i get started (does each user need an apple id?, how do i separate each individuals library on a single machine, and does imatch work per library, per user or for all music on one machine)
Thanks for any sage advice.

Create a separate iTunes library for each device. Note: It is important that you make a new iTunes Library file. Do not just make a copy of your existing iTunes Library file. If iTunes is open, quit it.
Mac users: Hold down the Option key while you open iTunes.
Windows users: Hold down the Shift key while you open iTunes.
In the dialog that appears, click Create Library.
Name and save the alternate library file. iTunes opens with your brand new library file.
Open iTunes Preferences. Choose iTunes > Preferences (Mac) or Edit > Preferences (Windows).
Click the Advanced tab.
Deselect the "Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library" checkbox if it is already selected and click OK. This will prevent iTunes from creating duplicates of your existing media files in the new library folder.
Add the specific media files you want on your device to iTunes either by dragging them into iTunes or choosing File > Add to Library (Mac) or File > Add File to Library or Add Folder to Library(Windows).
Once you have the iTunes Library just how you want it, connect and sync your device.
Once the sync is complete, quit iTunes.
Mac users: Hold down the Option key while you open iTunes.
Windows users: Hold down the Shift key while you open iTunes.
Click Choose library.
Choose your original iTunes Library and click Choose (Mac Users) or Open (Windows Users). You can now switch back and forth between the different libraries for different devices.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1495

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Is it possible to have two seperate itunes running on the same computer? My husband and I share a computer and both have ipods. We both have different tastes in music so we would like to be able to access our own itunes instead of having to share a library with all the music together.
He currently has itunes set up with all his music on the computer at home. I have been running my itunes at work and would like to be able to bring my stuff home. Is this possible?

When the iPods belong to different people, there are basically three ways of using multiple iPods on a computer and these involve:
a) Sharing a single iTunes library
b) Creating Multiple Libraries in a single user account
c) Creating multiple user accounts.
Note: When you are sharing an iTunes library, you don't have to set each iPod to update in the same manner, you can mix and match from the options below as each iPod has it's own update settings
Sharing a Library and/or User Account
If you want to share the one library, you can set either or all of the iPods so that they only get updated with only certain playlists (you can update from more than one if you wish): iPod - Syncing Music
Choosing the update option "Sync Music - Selected playlists" allows you to create a playlist specifically for the iPod and drag the tracks you want into it. If you tire of the list and want to change it, you just add or remove the songs you don't want. The ones you take out out remain in the library to be used some other time if you choose. You can read more about playlists at these links:
iTunes: Creating playlists of your favorite songs
How to create a Smart Playlist with iTunes
Or you can choose to update any or all of the iPods manually and just drag whatever content you want to them: Managing content manually on iPod
Loading the iPod shuffle differs slightly but it can still be used with the others, for details have a look at this page: Adding songs to iPod shuffle - Windows
Multiple Libraries
It's also possible to have multiple libraries in a single account. To create or access a second (or more) library, hold down the Option key (or Shift key in Windows) when launching iTunes 7. In the resulting dialogue you will get the option to create a new library or navigate to the other Library.
Note: You can only have one Library open at a time and iTunes will default to the last library opened if you don't use the keyboard command to choose one. This can prove tricky when using multiple iPods, if you don't use the keyboard command you can risk syncing to the wrong library: Using multiple iTunes libraries -Windows
Separate User Accounts
Another option is to create a separate User account for each person on your PC or Mac. Different accounts by definition would give you completely separate libraries. Each account has it's own iTunes folder, Library and iTunes Music folder and you load it with CDs etc just as you did with your original one. The iPod can be set to update however the owner chooses, sync all, manual or sync specific playlists
I don't use Windows so I can't give you a step by step on that one, however I can point you to another web page which should help you out. You can read about Windows user accounts here:
Using Windows XP User Accounts

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I bought each of my two daughters their own iPods for Christmas, and when I set them up, I used my iTunes account login for both of them. It has become an issue sharing my account on their devices, because all of my information comes up on their iPods (like my messages). How can I set up new accounts for each of them, since I only have one computer? I want each of them to have their own iTunes accounts so they can stop using mine. Please help!!!

How to use multiple iPods, iPads, or iPhones with one computer - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1495
Chris CA's 2009 instructions on sharing iTunes music libraries between multiple user accounts - http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=8973804
How to use multiple iPods, iPads, or iPhones with one computer - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1495 - Method #1 using separate user accounts. Method #2 using separate playlists in one library. Method #3 using multiple iTunes libraries.
iTunes Home Sharing now works between users on same computer - https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3865597
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iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203 - relocating iTunes' media folder to a shared area but leaving separate library files - extra tip at https://discussions.apple.com/message/17331189
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http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1495
since apparently you do not like method #2, sounds like that is how you're set up right now.
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These links should help:
Natalie Beresford: Multiple iPods/iTunes Installations
How to use multiple iPods with one computer
How to share music between different accounts on a single computer
Also See: How to Transfer Music Between the Computer and iPod
The iPod offers three ways to transfer music from your computer. You can select one of the following update modes from the iPod Preferences menu in iTunes (Edit=>Preferences=>'iPod' tab):
1) Automatically update all songs and playlists. This is the default mode, in which your entire music library, including playlists, is automatically synced to your iPod. If the music library on your computer exceeds the iPod storage capacity, you are prompted to select a different update method.
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My son and I (separate computers) host all of our music on a common file server. Initially, it was my music library...when he loaded iTunes, it imported everything and all was fine.
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Sorry to say, there is not an easier way and folks have been requesting it from Apple for years.
You are running into the situation noted in this article, towards the end
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203
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We have one PC, running Windows 8, and three Windows accounts for three separate users. The users all have individual iTunes accounts and separate iTunes libraries.
If user A runs iTunes and leaves the PC without quitting iTunes, it prevents user B and C from running iTunes because it is already running although it's under a different Windows user account that user B and C ideally have no access to. So my question is:
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I would really prefer NOT to have to install separate instances of iTunes under the individual users - if that's event possible...
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Each user has their own library by default. It is possible to connect different users to the same library if that is desired. iTunes doesn't play well when you connect a device to a new library. See Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device for tips.
tt2

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I have an iTunes account that my I share with my wife and young daughter. Up to this point, we have purchased all songs thru a single iTunes store acount and have different play lists - some songs we all thre enjoy listening to. My daughter recently received some gift cards for the iTunes store. She wants to use her gift card to purchase music - if we do so thru my iTunes store account, what happens in a year or two when she is older and wants her own account - can those songs be transferred to her new account or will she need to repurchase those songs? If we set up a new iTune store account now for her now, will we be able to share songs that I have already purchased?

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Setting up multiple itunes users

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