Using a single itunes library with multiple iphones?

Question

My wife got an iPhone 3GS recently and I already have a 4S. I plan to use an existing iTunes install on a single PC to manage them both. I see that Apple support articles say it's worth keeping iTunes libaries separate (with separate Windows user accounts) when there are multiple iPhones using iTunes on one PC.
I like to manually manage music, videos and podcasts in my iTunes library rather than use synching. I like the idea of having a shared pool of music, videos and apps for us both to use. I know apps that are purchased on my iPhone or my wife's are linked to a specific apple ID so that means if she transfers any apps that were bought on my phone originally, her phone will ask her for my apple ID password when they get updates. But sharing passwords with eachother isn't a problem.
I can create a second user account for my wife easily, but I kind of have the feeling I'd prefer to share a single library as I say.
Are there any other reasons I need to keep 2 user accounts and 2 iTunes libraries going when I manually manage the transfer of content?
Cheers.

Answer 1

MikeBelfast wrote:
I can create a second user account for my wife easily, but I kind of have the feeling I'd prefer to share a single library as I say.
Adn this can easily be done.
Move your /Music/iTunes/ folder to a Shared directory (such as /Users/Public/ folder) and everyone can use this single library.
Each user must quit iTunes before the other can open it.
Just hold Shift, launch iTunes, select Choose library... and select the iTunes folder in the shared directory.
The big advantage with separate Windows user accounts, data such as photos, calendars, emails, and everything else will be separate.