Q: iPhoto Over Network
I've read a number of threads on this and other forums that warn against putting iPhoto on a network drive. Ok, fair enough. But, like many I don't have capacity on my laptops for iPhoto anymore. I do have a 1 TB Mac Mini that would suffice for quite some time, and a Time Capsule as well. We don't really have a plan to use the Mini as a client per se, at least not easily. The issue is that it's best if we use the laptops as the end user interface, but need to store the iPhoto Library elsewhere.
I'm trying to come up with the best solution for us. I think what I'd like to do is set up iPhoto on the Mini, then enable Remote Management so the Mini can be logged into from the laptops. This, perhaps coupled with a shared file system for photo import/export between the Mini and the laptops probably does the trick. The main disadvantage I see is that when importing photos, we'll have to plug into the Mini rather than the laptop, but that's no big deal. And, I somewhat question the security of Remote Management -- everything would be behind a firewall, but still. I have some experience with remote desktop stuff, but not Apple's: If there are legit security concerns, I'd appreciate knowing that.
Any other issues that people see with this? Or any alternative solutions to propose?
Many thanks for your help!
Mac mini, OS X Yosemite (10.10.1)
Posted on Nov 26, 2014 1:53 PM
In the latest version of iPhoto, using a library over Bonjour is indeed not supported anymore.
Your plan sounds feasable at first, but problems will arise as soon as two Macs have that shared iPhoto Library opened at the same time and you're not aware of it. Expect catastrophe.
Barring that, my best advise would be to move the iPhoto Library on an external USB/FireWire/Thunderbolt-drive and plug it in to the computer that needs it at that very moment.
You can also install iPhoto on the Mac Mini and use screensharing instead of remote management. iPhoto and the iPhoto Library will be 100% on that Mac Mini. To use screensharing, first on the Mac Mini go to: "Apple Menu > System Preferences > Sharing" and check the box next to screensharing.
From now on from every Mac in the same network you should see a "share screen" button in the Finder after clicking on your Mac Mini under "shared" in the left column of any Finder-window. This way, you will be manipulating the Mac Mini as if you connected a mouse and keyboard and it's not technically using iPhoto Library on a network drive anymore.
Posted on Nov 26, 2014 2:15 PM