Workaround for Sharing iTunes Libraries

I've experimented with a solution for sharing my iTunes Library between my iMac and MBP. It isn't perfect, but it has the benefit of not requiring any smoke and mirrors, and you can take it with you. It does require an Airport Drive.
BACK EVERYTHING UP USING A COMBINATION OF TIME MACHINE AND CARBON COPY CLONER BEFORE PROCEEDING...
I'll just use "iMac" and "MBP" in this description but of course they can be anything...
Let's assume you are starting with your iTunes library on your iMac and your iTunes Media folder is in the default position within /Users/[x]/Music/iTunes.
(1) I have an Airport Extreme, and so I connected a drive to it. It is worth nothing that I have a USB hub connected to my AE with a printer and two drives connected to it; the other drive is for TM.
(2) On drive you just connected, create a folder called iTunes Media.
(3) In iTunes on the iMac, go the Preferences>Advanced and set your iTunes Media folder location to the one on the Airport Drive. You also likely want Copy Files to iTunes Media Folder When Added checked on the iMac.
(4) Now go to File>Library/Organize Library... and consolidate your files. If you have not already updated your file organization, you probably want to as well. This can take quite some time depending on the size of your media library.
At this point, everything should still work fine. You ought to be able to play your music and see all artwork. If you Get Info on a song, you ought to see that it is on the Airport drive. No magic yet.
Now...
(5) On your iMac, the iTunes Media folder is still within the iTunes folder (when iTunes consolidated, it didn't delete it). Move that folder to a safe place outside of the iTunes folder; in my case, I moved it to a folder that TM does not back up.
(6) Delete the /user/[x]/Music/iTunes folder on your MBP, and replace it with the iTunes folder on your iMac; I did this wirelessly with File Sharing. It can take some time if you have artwork, but likely just a few minutes.
(7) Bring up iTunes on your MBP (no problem keeping iTunes up on your iMac). iTunes will check the library (pretty quick) and then bring up your library, complete with artwork.
(8) To be on the safe side, go to Preferences>Advanced and uncheck Copy Files to iTunes Media folder (that's a restriction with this scheme; you can only add files on your iMac).
Still, no magic. iTunes on your iMac is set up completely normally with everything in its media folder, whereas iTunes on your MBP is set up with nothing in its media folder.
(9) When you add files on your iMac, you will have to repeat step 6. In my case, I am not constantly adding media, so it in not a problem.
(10) Want to take it with you? Not a problem. Quit iTunes, dismount your Airport disk, connect it directly to your MBP, fire up iTunes, it it will just work.
(11) In my case, I am also using Home Sharing, and I can still see the shared media folder the old way, and it still works. Selecting it highlights how sharing is implemented; when you select it, you see drive activity on the Airport disk. In other words, all iTunes is looking at is the iTunes Media folder and ignoring everything else.
(12) Also in my case, the username on my MBP is the same as on my iMac, but I don't think that matters. I also think it would work for any number MBP "satellites", with the restriction that you can only add files from the iMac "mother ship."
BE SURE TO USE CCC TO BACKUP YOUR NEW ITUNES MEDIA AIRPORT DISK
Hope this helps.
SC
Message was edited by: NewYorkYogi
Message was edited by: NewYorkYogi

This is the most simple way to share between your snow leapord and bootcamp windows 7. i deem this method the 'safest & correct method' of adding ' literally sharing' your library between different OSs.
part 1
1. on itunes software under bootcamp windows 7, go to edit > perferences.
2. go to under advance tab, look at itunes media folder location.
3. change it to: e:\users\username\music\itunes\itunes media.
4. uncheck keep itunes media folder organized.
5. uncheck copy files to itunes media folder when adding to library.
6. hit ok.
part 1 easily completed!
final part =D
7. on itunes software under bootcamp windows 7, go to file > library > import playlist
8. point your default itunes software under snowleapord playlist: e:\users\username\music\itunes\itunes music library.xml
9. now just sit back and wait while it imports the library!
final part easily completed!
enjoy!

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~( ):>

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~( ):>
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