Sharing Photos with multiple users

We(our family) have 3 users plus the administrator for this computer. How do we share an iPhoto library among all of the users? We would like to store all of our photos on the external hard drive. Currently we find ourselves switching back and forth between users to find photos.
We are using iPhoto 6.0.6(322)
HELP!
Please tell me there is a better way. We have lots of photos.

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. then:
Quit iPhoto in all accounts
Move the iPhoto Library Folder to an external HD set to ignore permissions.
In each account in turn: Hold down the option (or alt) key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting dialogue, select 'Choose Library' and navigate to the new library location. 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

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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

Sharing Library with Multiple Users on SAME COMPUTER

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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.
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Sharing photos between multiple users on one Mac

I'm trying to figure out how to easily share photos imported in by one user to other users in my family on my mac. I'm assuming we don't have to import them multiple times. It seems cumbersome to this new mac user to share them. I find the issue with iTunes. Any help?

HI Darien,
Here are all the links I have for the different kinds of sharing:
SHARING IPHOTO LIBRARIES
Sharing libraries between users on the same local network
You can also share a library on the same machine between users the same way.
Sharing libraries between users on the same machine...
-both users must have sharing enabled in their iPhoto Preferences
-both users must be logged in and have iPhoto running
-Remember that you can only view the other library. You can't edit the photos or play the saved slideshows or view the made books or burn them to CD or DVD. The books and slideshows will show up as an album. You can play that album as an "on the fly" slideshow. You can drag images from the sharing library to your library in the source column to import them to your library. You can then edit, add to albums, books, slideshow, etc.
Sharing links from Apple....
Sharing your photos between computers
About shared photos
Turning off photo sharing
Looking for shared photos
SHARING ONE IPHOTO LIBRARY BETWEEN USERS ON SAME MACHINE
You can try one of these three methods:
1- Use iPhoto Library Manager-the paid version
The documentation page will give instructions on how it is done.
2- Sharing one iPhoto library between several users on one machine
3- Share an iPhoto Library in tiger Using ACL's
4- I have also read about ShareAlike
There is no other info on the site about how it works.
I strongly urge anyone wanting to try any of the methods for sharing one iPhoto Library folder among more than one user to backup all iPhoto Library folders before attemptin anything.

Organizing and Storing Photos with Multiple Users

I am new to the Imac and have a boat load of photos from previous PC. I have successfully migrated them to the IMAC and started using Iphoto. I also have several user accounts for the imac for the family but want to be able to share all the photos across the user accounts. What is the best way to do this without having duplicate files.
I started by coping all the photos in a Shared folder directly under the user folder that everyone has access to. I now have been in my user account and dragged and dropped in my photo library. Things seem to be working however it appears I have now two copies on my hard drive. One set in the share folder where I have originally copied them to from the pc and another set in my photos folder on my user account. I'm afraid as the other users do the same to I, we will have 3 to 4 copies... and with the number of photos I have I scared I won't have the disk space.
How else can I manage all the photos in a single location while having multiple users be able to access them.
Thanks in advance.
Jason

I also have several user accounts for the imac for the family but want to be able to share all the photos across the user accounts. What is the best way to do this without having duplicate files.
Put them in the Shared folder as you have done. Now any user can access the files. It's basic but simple.
However, if you want to use iPhoto (and it's neither necessary nor compulsory) then you need to put the Library on an external disk formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and set to ignore permissions.

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 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.
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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.

Synching photos with multiple user accounts under Windows

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Thanks!
Dad:
My Photos\25042013 Subject 1\Photo 1.jpg
My Photos\25042013 Subject 1\Photo 2.jpg
My Photos\26042013 Subject 2\Photo 1.jpg
My Photos\26042013 Subject 2\Photo 2.jpg
Mum:
My Photos\20042012 Subject 3\Photo 1.jpg
My Photos\20042012 Subject 3\Photo 2.jpg
My Photos\21042013 Subject 4\Photo 1.jpg
My Photos\21042013 Subject 4\Photo 2.jpg
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20042012 Subject 3\Photo 1.jpg
20042012 Subject 3\Photo 2.jpg
21042013 Subject 4\Photo 1.jpg
21042013 Subject 4\Photo 2.jpg
25042013 Subject 1\Photo 1.jpg
25042013 Subject 1\Photo 2.jpg
26042013 Subject 2\Photo 1.jpg
26042013 Subject 2\Photo 2.jpg

Hi there i clickes the start button went to settings and control panel and user settings then edit accounts i had same issues as you it gives you the option to add, delete or edit an account. Hope this helps

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.
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Hi there BRPopilek,
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http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203
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You have copy the photos on a flash drive and then use the flash drive on your machine to transfer the photos. You can then catalogue them in the usual manner.
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Sorry if this is posted in a poor place, I'm not sure where the best place is. This is sort of a general questions.
For a long time, my wife and I have had either one computer, or two machines but one has definitely been just a terminal. We've basically set up all of our data to be one one primary machine, and if we want to view/edit that data we have to use that machine.
We just got a new MacBook Pro and I would like to be able to use two machines as equals. Sadly, this idea of multiple computers, with two users and some shared data is really giving me difficulty. I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how to best manage things like:
Synchronizing portions of our contact list (We share about 50% of the combined library -- we don't have to share all though).
How to manage iPhoto so that we can each have access to the photos. As an added difficulty (or maybe this is easier?) my Wife just wants to have access to the pictures for viewing and sharing on Facebook/Picassa/etc. I am the only one who wants to edit, correct and cull our library. That said, I always edit when I first put the data on the machine, and almost never again; so it would be fine to have one (or both accounts) set up as view only for the iPhoto data.
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Mail.app and bookmark synching is not really a problem for us.
Two extra points:
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So you have a desktop Mac and a laptop Mac, right? Two user accounts (and a third admin account) on each computer, right?
I profess that I haven't tried this, but here is how I would approach your problem:
Sharing Music and Photos between multiple user accounts on the same computer:
See if http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=194992 and http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=510993 provide any useful information to assist you in this endeavor.
Sharing across multiple computers:
Turn on file sharing on the Desktop (System Preferences > Sharing). Now you can mount the Desktop as an external drive on the laptop's Desktop. Copy the music and photo folders across. Will take awhile to do the first time. Then, for future use, get a copy of the donationware CarbonCopyCloner or equivalent. You can use CCC to selectively sync specific folders from one computer to the other. There may be a hassle with digital copyright issues on music and movies, though.
Calendars:
As you have suggested yourself, publishing yours and subscribing to hers is probably the best way to do it, on the same computer. Across computers, syncing with CCC or equivalent would probably be the way to go.

Sharing iTunes on a single computer with multiple users

Greetings,
I have been troubleshooting a problem sharing iTunes on a single computer with multiple users that cropped up a few weeks ago and have not had very good luck.
Several months ago I successfully set up my wife’s G4 Laptop (PowerPC processor) so that we could share iTunes on that computer. I had just gotten her an “My Book” external hard drive (Western Digital). The iTunes Library will go on this new unit because the internal drive was running out of room. I successfully set the privileges, moved the entire library onto a “Share” directory and everything worked fine.
In this way, when I got a new CD I could add it to iTunes (under my login, administrator privileges) and she could access it (under her login) to listen to while working on the computer or using her iPod. This arrangement went well for quite awhile.
About a month and a half ago, when I tried to launch iTunes from my login I received this message:
“The iTunes Library file is locked, on a locked disk, or you do not have write permission for this file.”
I think the permissions must have changed when there was an update because my wife is pretty careful about what she does on her computer. Updates were the only thing I could think of that had changed since I had set her computer up. I also noticed that some of the iTunes defaults were different from the last time I had used it to add a CD.
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“The operation cannot be completed because you do not have sufficient privileges for some of the items.”
What gives? I am the original owner and have always had top-level privileges.
Can someone point me to any articles or clues as to how I need to set-up iTunes on a single computer to be shared by more than one user? Also, I am considering upgrading to the newer system in a few weeks, so if a solution for OS X 10.5 is available, that would work too.
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Was your wife logged into the libray at the time you tried to log in? I have had a similar problem and it was because another user was logged into the library when I attempted to. I got the permission denied banner.

Sharing Photos with multiple users

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