Shared iTunes library gets "sticky"

Hello,
I'm currently running iTunes on my MacBook Pro & PC computer (running Windows 7 Release Candidate 2). The libraries of both machines are shared over the network & can be played from the other machine just fine. I've just noticed a few weeks ago that sometimes, the library from the PC computer still shows up in iTunes on the MacBook Pro, even when the PC computer is turned off. I didn't connect to the PC library so when shutting down the PC computer, I don't get a message saying that users are still connected to the library & asking for confirmation of quitting iTunes.
Furthermore, when the PC computer is powered on again & iTunes is launched, a second library with the same name now shows up on iTunes on the MacBook Pro.
I've recently upgraded to Snow Leopard (10.6) but I had noticed the problem already before that. It might have even started with the previous version of iTunes (both machines are running the latest version of iTunes right now). I can quit & relaunch iTunes on the Mac & it disappears, but it's a bit of a chore.
How could I go about fixing that problem for good ?

margemynx wrote:
We have this great shared ITunes library at work. I'd love to grab some songs from people's lists but I'm hitting a wall and Itunes won't let me do it. Is there anything I can do to get around this (short of asking people to burn them for me, which I really don't want to do)?
Sorry, that would be piracy. You do not own those tracks and your co worker does not have the rights to distribute them to you either.

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Message was edited by: Tayger

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Greetings everyone
Just got a new aluminum iMac, setting it up for the wife and kids. From the descriptions here, I have set up several accounts to share a single iTunes library, by creating aliases in each user's iTunes folder that point to the shared library. It seems to work great: I only have to import music ONCE (instead of once for each user), and if one user creates or changes a new playlist, everyone sees it, which is exactly what I wanted.
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Unfortunately, baltwo's solution will not allow your girlfriend to create any playlists or copy songs to iPod.
The easiest thing would be to share the entire music folder, so anyone of you can listen to your music.
You'd have two options.
If you want to be using the exact same library, so any playlist you created can be edited by your girlfriend and vice versa:
1. Go to yourusername/Music/iTunes. You'll find two files called "iTunes library" and "iTunes music library" Copy them to your desktop, so you'll have a backup just in case.
2. Move your yourusername/Music folder to computer/users/shared. (The folder will be copied ONLY in case your using FileVault, so you'd have to delete the original User/Music folder after making sure you'd got a functional copy at computer/users/shared) Select users/shared, press "apple+i" to get the info window, go to "Ownership" change all permissions to "read & write" and hit "apply to enclosed items"
3. In case you're using FileVault, either delete or rename the original Music folder within your own account. Again, not necessary as long as FileVault isn't enabled.
4. Select computer/users/shared/music, hold down "ctrl" while clicking on it and choose "create alias" from the contextual menu. Copy that alias into your homefolder as well as your girlfriend's account (need to log in) and rename it to "music" without the "alias" at the end.
5. Launch iTunes. Done.
6. Don't worry, in case you don't see your music. I've used a slightly different approach, yet this one should work totally fine.
If you want to listen to the same music, yet be able to set up your own playlists, ratings etc.:
For your account:
- go to yourusername/Music/iTunes, move "iTunes Music" to computer/users/shared and change ownership according to #2.
- If FileVault is enabled, check #3. Of course, you want to rename the original "iTunes Music" in this case.
- create an alias for computer/users/shared/iTunes Music and copy the alias to yourusername/Music/iTunes. Rename it to "iTunes Music" without "alias".
- Launch iTunes. Should be working the way it used to. Quit.
For your girlfriend's account:
- log in, copy alias to username/Music/iTunes, rename alias.
- Launch iTunes, go to File-> Add to Library, select username/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music, choose.
That's it.
The only downside is, only one user at a time can access the music folder, so if you're logged in and running iTunes, you're girlfriend, logged in via fast user switching, won't be able to open iTunes until you quit it for yourself. Haven't found a way around this yet.
Fell free to report any issues.
huhh...rather long posting...

Sharing Itunes Library with multiple users on same computer

Several people in my house share the same laptop and we all have our own user id. I am the administrator. How do I set up itunes so that all of the music, the entire library, is accessible to all user id's when each person is logged in? I thought I had it figured out but whenever I download new music the others don't see it, only what was already there. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Give this ago, This is what I am trying at the moment and is a bit experimental, I haven't Tested it yet with iPhone/iPad/iPods sync yet. (will do this soon and will report back)
1. BACK UP!!! (just in case) Copy your itunes folder normally found under (user - "username" - Music folder) to a usb drive or just copy it into the music folder. (in fact do a full system back up I'm guessing you haven't done it in a while)
2. Create the new user account if not already done so. (I am setting up my other users as a new users with no existing iTunes content.)
3. Move the itunes folder under (user - "username" - Music folder) into (user - shared)
4. Change the read/write access to the (user - shared - iTunes folder) Right click on the folder - +Get Info+ - Under Permissions allow all the users Read & Write, Click the cog and select apply to enclosed items.
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6. Remove alias from the name.
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Under iTunes preferences - Advance
make sure the itunes media folder location is (user - "shared" - iTunes - iTunes Media)
I also have Keep iTune media folder organized checked
& Copy files to iTunes Media folder checked. (When music, vids, or update Apps for my iPhone/iPod, it should now show up in the other user's account)
8. Close out of itunes User done.
9. Log into user 2's and go to (user - shared) folder Check to make sure this user has read & write permissions. Make an alias of the "iTunes folder" and move it to user 2's music folder +(user - "username" - Music folder)+
10. Start itunes check to make sure every thing is ok, play a few tracks.
Under iTunes preferences - Advance
make sure the itunes media folder location is (user - "shared" - iTunes - iTunes Media)
Make sure Keep iTune media folder organized & Copy files to iTunes Media folder are checked.
Log this user into the iTunes store if need (it shouldn't effect the the other users)
11. YOUR DONE, Unless you have more users, then just repeat steps 8, 9 ,10 (and 11 if needed)
Just note that only 1 user can access the Shared iTunes account at a time so close iTunes if you not using it.
Each user should be running off the same iTunes library now. Once you are happy with the set up and nothing has happened to your music then delete the back ups in step 1.
Hope this helps, Let me know how you get on?
I will let you know how I get on with 2 iPhones and 2 iTunes store accounts under each User syncing.
AND I cant see why this shouldn't work for iPhoto.
Message was edited by: Gmor

Shared iTunes library gets "sticky"

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