Using iPhoto Library in Ext HD for two macs

Question

I realize that if I put my desktop library on an ext hd and open from my laptop (same user name) it won't have albums or events or something and that I mess things up if I try to add photos from the laptop. But can I just point my laptop to the ext hd to view or copy photos and then later successfully fully use my ext HD library in my desktop? I'm pretty sure my laptop would open the ext hd library, I'm concerned about the laptop writing something to the library that would get me in trouble on my desktop. I just want to be able to view pictures on my laptop. I've haven't tried it since I didn't want to write to the Ext HD library (if the laptop would do that).
In other words, sharing library between two macs with one being view only. thanks, ralph

Answer 1

sharing library between two macs with one being view only. thanks, ralph
Really easy:
Enable Sharing in the iPhoto (Preferences -> Sharing), on the iMac. Leave iPhoto running and move to the laptop. There, enable 'Look For Shared Libraries'. The iMac Library will appear in the other source pane.
Remember iPhoto must be running on both machines for this to work.
it won't have albums or events or something and that I mess things up if I try to add photos from the laptop.
Actually, it will have exactly the same Albums, Events etc. After all, it’s the same Library.
that I mess things up if I try to add photos from the laptop.
No you won’t. What will mess things up is if you try and open the Library on both machines at the same time.
Regards
TD
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 both accounts
Move the iPhoto Library Folder to an external HD set to ignore permissions. You could also use a Disk Image or even partition your Hard Disk.
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.