Sharing music w/ multiple users on same iMac

I have four accounts on an iMac and want to provide access to the iTunes library on an external hard drive for each user. Can you tell me how they can use the music without having to make a separate copy of the library.

Copy the iTunes Music folder to the external drive.
Leave the folder "iTunes" and the two files "iTunes Music Library.xml" and "iTunes Library" in each users "Music" folder.
Change the iTunes Music Folder Location to point to the copied "iTunes Music" folder on the external drive, for each user, here:
iTunes > Preferences > Advanced > General.
The original "iTunes Music" folder can now be deleted from the computers main hard drive.
If the external drive is not connected and running when a user starts iTunes, the application will default back to the standard location, ~/Music/iTunes.
You can also have multiple users share the same music library by moving the folder as above, to the top level (where the System, Library, Applications and Users folders live) of the computers hard drive, if you do not want to use an external HD.

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Sharing Library with Multiple Users on SAME COMPUTER

My wife and I use Windows XP Pro. We imported all of our CDs to the iTunes on her user account. How do I access or import the library to the iTunes on my account? I want to avoid logging into her account to listen to the music.
The help index has info on sharing music for multiple computers on a network but I didn't see an answer for sharing music between multiple user accounts in XP on one computer. PLEASE HELP!!!!

Use tweakUI, google on it to get it and install it.
More details are here or do a search discussions for "TweakUI" if you need more.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=1175181&#1175181

Can I share some, not all music, with other users on same iMac?

Hi,
I want to be able to share some musice with other users on the same iMac?
Is it possible to do without having to share everything?
Thanks, Crankyhead.

Create a playlist containing the music you want to share. Then select Preferences in iTunes and from there select the Sharing tab. Turn on "Share my library on my local network" then click on "Share selected playlists" and click on the playlist(s) you want to share.

Sharing folders/files between users on same imac Intel

Hello,
Hoping the Gods of OSX can help me. I'm a recent convert from PC to iMac Intel. My wife and I both use the imac so we set up two different users (both have admin priv). I was able to network the imac and our PC together and pull stuff off the PC onto the mac (music videos, documents).
The Question:
We want to be able to share alot of stuff between the two users. for instance, If I were to login then connect my Digital camera and import in iPhoto then fast switch to my wife's account I want to be able to see those photos that were just imported. What are the steps (if any) to make folders synced/shared.
If anyone can help it would be appriciated.

The easiest way is to put the files you wish to share between users in the Shared folder (this is the Shared folder located in the Users folder.) All files placed there can be accessed by all users.
If you want to go a step further it's possible to set up multiple-user iTunes and iPhoto libraries:
Share iPhoto Library with Multiple Users
Share iTunes Library

Sharing documents with 2 users on same iMac

I am trying to share selected documents (not iTunes) between 2 users with their own accounts on the same iMac. My iMac is a late 2009 intel desktop using OS 10.8.4.
I have read over all of the literature on setting up "Users and Groups" preferences, I have setup a "Group" account for the two users. I have then gone to "Sharing" prefs, identified the files to be shared and then identified the users to be shared and gave them Read/Write privileges. I have made sure that the COMPUTER NAME in the heading of SHARING matches the name posted as the Full Name in Users and Groups (which is the Admin name).
No matter what I try here, nothing seems to work.
Anyone know what I am missing here.
Many thanks.

It sounds like you've put the shared files in a subfolder of one user's home folder that the other can't read. I suggest you put them in a subfolder of /Users/Shared. Even then, you're going to have problems if one user creates a new file, because the other won't be able to modify it. To get this kind of setup to work properly is much more complex.

Sharing iPhoto library between users on same imac

I just updated to the latest iphoto (9.5.1). Previously, I've had the library located in a shared directory and each user on the computer used that library. Now with the update, I get an error that I don't have the correct permissions. iPhoto prompts to fix it, but then is unable to. If I rebuild the library, then the other users do not have the correct permissions. The permissions for the file itself is set to read and write for everyone. I don't want to waste hard drive space with 2 or more full libraries that are all identicle. Is there a setting somewhere I'm missing?

Yes, but what if you want to keep it on the Mac drive?
To be realistic an external drive, is not practical or functional when people are moving a macbook around all the time; not to mention the lag with a big library if it's a USB drive.
So is it possible on the original Macbook drive?

Sharing iTunes/iPhoto with multiple users on same iMac

Sorry if this has been asked and answered (if so, could you refer me to the post).
I am trying to set my machine up so that my wife and I have different user accounts but shared access to the same iTunes and iPhoto content. I managed to do this by placing the iPhoto library and the iTunes library in the shared folder and by applying admin read and write permissions to both folders.
The problem is that when I add new photos or music to iTunes or iPhoto whilst logged into my account, when my wife (also an admin on the mac) logs in she doesn't have automatic access to the new content unless I (or she) tediously go through each individual file giving her read and write access so that she can access them in her own account. The converse is also true for her adding new media and me not having access to it.
Is there a way this can be overcome?
Hopefully this makes sense to someone.
Thanks
James Munro

I typed "Share itunes" in the search bar next to "Support" and found:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203
I typed "Share iphoto" in the search bar next to "Support" and found:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1198
Hopefully these articles will help.

Sharing files with multiple users on single iMac

THIS IS a REPOST from another location - more appropriate "thread"
After switching to Mac from a PC about a month ago (& not being technologically over-adept), I have finally succeeded in creating separate "User" accounts on my iMac (1 admin, 1 standard, 1 managed) to allow the 3 users in my household to create their own workspace. However, now I would like to allow them to access all files from some applications - iTunes, iPhoto, Address Book, etc. - and some of the files within Numbers, Pages, & Keynote (that were theirs to start with...but they were working on in "my" admin space before establishing separate Users.) As an additional challenge, I'd still like to have access to their files...for monitoring purposes...as we go forward. I've "searched" the Apple support files and found reference to some of this but (1) I can't seem to figure out how to move the files into the Public Folder (I did one, then logged in as another User & it wasn't there...) and (2) If they access files from the Public Folder, will they need to specifically save them back there when done? -- my other users will NEVER remember to put something back where they got it...

You can give each user read and write permissions to just that folder, or to everything in it. But that will not stick to any new files that are added to the folder hierarchy after that point. When new files are created they are read and write for the creator, and read only for all others. If you want to change that it must be done manually for each new file that you add.
There is a way to get around this, and make every file/folder added to a folder hierarchy automatically get full read and write permission for the users you specify. It requires setting up ACLs. Do it this way:
1. Make a new subfolder in /Users/Shared. Call it something like /Users/Shared/sharefolder. Move all the files you want to share into this folder.
2. Go to System Preferences and unlock the Accounts pref pane. Click the + button. Make a new group (select "group" from the drop down menu). Call it something like "sharegroup". Add the users you want to that group.
3. Log in to an admin account. Launch Terminal. Paste in all three of these lines at the same time and then press Return:
sudo chmod -R +a "sharegroup allow delete,chown,list,search,add_file,\
addsubdirectory,delete_child,file_inherit,directoryinherit" \
/Users/Shared/sharefolder
Enter your admin password when prompted and press return again. You are done. The users in the sharegroup can all now read and write everything in the sharefolder. They will also be able to read and write any file that is newly created or copied into the sharefolder from that point on.
NOTE: After setting this up, and you want to add more files to the sharefolder, be aware that files that already exist outside the sharefolder WON'T inherit the new permissions if they are simply moved in (i.e. drag with Finder). They must be copied in. Hold down the option key when dragging files into the sharefolder. That will ensure that a new copy will be made, and the permissions will inherit properly. You can then delete the old copy of the file from its previous location.
I hope this helps.

Sharing photos with multiple users on single iMac

I want to share all my iphotos with all users. I purchased an external hard drive (Rock Mobile) that automatically synced up to the Time Machine. I have loaded the iPhoto data base onto the Time Machine. I would like other users to have access via their screen saver - how can I do this?

Welcome to the Apple Discussions.
You'll need to partition that external if you want to share it with TM.
For iPhoto 09 (version 8.0.2) and later:
What you mean by 'share'.
If you want the other user to be able to see the pics, but not add to, change or alter your library, then enable Sharing in your iPhoto (Preferences -> Sharing), leave iPhoto running and use Fast User Switching to open the other account. In that account, enable 'Look For Shared Libraries'. Your Library will appear in the other source pane.
Any user can drag a pic from the Shared Library to their own in the iPhoto Window.
Remember iPhoto must be running in both accounts for this to work.
If you want the other user to have the same access to the library as you: to be able to add, edit, organise, keyword etc.
Quit iPhoto in both accounts. Move the Library to the Users / Shared Folder
(You can also use an external HD set to ignore permissions, a Disk Image or even partition your Hard Disk.)
In each account in turn: Double click on the Library to open it. (You may be asked to repair the Library Permissions.) From that point on, this will be the default library location. Both accounts will have full access to the library, in fact, both accounts will 'own' it.
However, there is a catch with this system and it is a significant one. iPhoto is not a multi-user app., it does not have the code to negotiate two users simultaneously writing to the database, and trying will cause db corruption. So only one user at a time, and back up, back up back up.
Regards
TD

Problem sharing media between multiple users on same Mac

My wife and I have an eMac, running Mac OS 10.4.11, with iTunes 9.2.1(4). We each have separate user accounts. Previously, I had imported several albums into my iTunes library. Now, my goal is to be able to share the albums that I had imported with my wife. Simultaneously, our available hard drive capacity is getting limited, so I decided to put my iTunes media on an external fire wire drive by Iomega. I followed article HT1449, transferring my media (and, not the other associated library files) and that part, at least, seems to be working fine. The folder "iTunes media" is now located on a partition of the external drive. As far as I can tell, both my wife and I have "read and write" permissions for this partition. Ownership of the partition volume is "ignored".
Now, as for setting up my wife's iTunes library and linking it up to the iTunes media folder on the external drive, I have followed HT1203 as a guide, changing the path of the media folder to the partition on the external drive. But, it simply doesn't seem to have any effect. There are no songs available within iTunes from her user account.
I would appreciate any guidance on how to resolve this. Thank you.

AndyMcKay wrote:
Chris, won't this copy the music contained in the external media folder, to the media folder under his wife's account?
They are both using the same media folder so iTunes won't copy it anywhere.

Sharing photos among multiple users on same MacBook

My wife and I both have user accounts on our MacBook Pro. She has all of our pictures on her iPhoto. How can I access those photos? Thanks in advance.

For iPhoto 09 (version 8.0.2) and later:
What you mean by 'share'.
If you want the other user to be able to see the pics, but not add to, change or alter your library, then enable Sharing in your iPhoto (Preferences -> Sharing), leave iPhoto running and use Fast User Switching to open the other account. In that account, enable 'Look For Shared Libraries'. Your Library will appear in the other source pane.
Any user can drag a pic from the Shared Library to their own in the iPhoto Window.
Remember iPhoto must be running in both accounts for this to work.
If you want the other user to have the same access to the library as you: to be able to add, edit, organise, keyword etc.
Quit iPhoto in both accounts. Move the Library to the Users / Shared Folder
(You can also use an external HD set to ignore permissions, a Disk Image or even partition your Hard Disk.)
In each account in turn: Double click on the Library to open it. (You may be asked to repair the Library Permissions.) From that point on, this will be the default library location. Both accounts will have full access to the library, in fact, both accounts will 'own' it.
However, there is a catch with this system and it is a significant one. iPhoto is not a multi-user app., it does not have the code to negotiate two users simultaneously writing to the database, and trying will cause db corruption. So only one user at a time, and back up, back up back up.
Regards
TD

Sharing music with multiple users?

I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction. Here is my problem. I have 5 kids that each have their own iPod/iPhone. They all use the same Windows 7 PC, each one with a different user account. I need a way to be able to add new songs to the main library, and then have them show up under all 5 accounts automatically.
My current setup is this. I have 2 hard drives in their computer. The first is the main OS drive, and the second is used for MP3 storage only. I intially setup iTunes under a single user account, and then pointed it to the 2nd hard drive for the music. I then copied that completed iTunes folder to each of the other 4 user accounts C:\User\Music\iTunes folder. This worked and each of them were able to access all of the current songs and sync up without affecting one another.
Unfortunatley this left me with one additional problem. How can I add new songs to the main library and have them be auto detected by all 5 accounts without having to log into each one and manually add the new music? As they get new CD or MP3 purchases, it is a big pain to have to manually do this everytime to make sure they are each seeing all of the music. I know I could setup a single account and not have to jump through all of these hoops, but I want them to be able to check/uncheck and sync their songs the easy way and avoid unnecessary fights!
Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Hi there BRPopilek,
You may find the information in the article below helpful.
iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203
-Griff W.

Sharing music with other users on same computer...possible?

I'd like to be able to share music between users who can log in on the same computer. Is this possible and how.
I currently have all the music in the admiistrators log in and can't see it when I log in as a regular user.
Thanks for any help

Hi,
Follow the instructions given in this article. http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93195
You might also want to uncheck the preference in the other Users accounts to prevent them from adding the song file to the hard disk when importing music. This means that only YOU as the admin can add files to the Library. You will find this preference under iTunes in the menu bar, Click on the "Advanced" tab and then the "General" Tab.
Regards,
Ben.

Sharing library for multiple users on same computer

I have 2 non-administrator accounts and an administrator account on one Mac. (G5 running Tiger). I have tried various ways of sharing songs between all of these accounts. What I am trying to do is have the 3 accounts show the same songs when they open iTunes. I want to be able to add songs to any of the individual accounts, and have it show up in all 3. I do not want to make 3 copies of each song. I can't seem to get this to work. I had this working before I upgraded to itunes 9. Now no matter what I do, can't get it to work. Can someone let me know how I can set this up?

Use tweakUI, google on it to get it and install it.
More details are here or do a search discussions for "TweakUI" if you need more.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=1175181&#1175181

HT1203 hello, tried to follow the instructions for sharing music between multiple users on one computer however it does not seem to be working.

hello, purchased a new iphone 5 and i now want to put all my music and picture from my 3gs onto it. however its been several years since ive updated my 3gs and now itunes wont fint it when i try and conect it.

Reset the iPhone & try again.
Try a different cable.
See Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device.
tt2

Sharing music w/ multiple users on same iMac

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