jzier139

Q: Dual User Library

New to Mac. Purchased iMac 3.06Ghz. Set up my user account and imported library to itunes via a DVD back-up from a Windows PC. Then afterwards, I created a user account for my fiance.
Since then, in iTunes, we now have separate libraries: Jason's iTunes Library and Melinda's iTunes library. Both have the music that was imported from the windows PC but each has separate media that each of us has purchased since then.
How can I join the 2 libraries and have them be shared even though we sgn on to the Mac with seperate accounts?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Feb 10, 2009 7:35 AM

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Q: Dual User Library

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  • by Chris CA,

    Chris CA Chris CA Feb 10, 2009 8:22 AM in response to jzier139
    Level 9 (79,533 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 10, 2009 8:22 AM in response to jzier139
    Pretty simple.
    You log in and quit iTunes.
    Drag your \Music\iTunes folder to the Shared directory.
    Select it, right click - get info and make sure *Ownership & Permissions* for Others: is set to *Read & Write*.
    Log into your Fiance's account.
    Click the icon to launch iTunes and immediately press and hold Option.
    Select *Use existing library* and select the *iTunes library* file in the iTunes folder you moved into the Shared directory.
    Now go to File -> Add to library and select \Music\iTunes\iTunes music folder.
    This will add all her music to the library.
    Everything should work fine.
    Quit iTunes and drag Music\iTunes\ folder to the trash but don't empty it yet.

    Go back yo your user and launch iTunes.
    All your music and all her music should be there and work fine.
    Quit iTunes and go back to her account and launch iTunes normally. If everything works, empty the trash and you are done.

    Note that only one user can be using iTunes at a time. If you use Fast User Switching, you will need to quit iTunes before anyone else can open it.

    In addition to this, if you listen to a lot of different music, you may want to create a few playlist to sort your music.
    I create a regular playlist (Bob's music and Sally's Music) for each user and let them add only the music they want.
    Then create a new *Smart playlist* for each user and set it to *Match rule;*
    Playlist is not Bob's Music.
    Click this playlist to see what is not in your own music playlist.
    This is helpful to see what new music is added by the other user that is not in your own playlist.
  • by jzier139,

    jzier139 jzier139 Feb 20, 2009 4:57 PM in response to Chris CA
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 20, 2009 4:57 PM in response to Chris CA
    OK, I finally had a second to get around to trying this. First of all, thanks for your help and time. However, I'm with ya until I get to the option click and choose library. You stated to "Use Existing Library" however, the only chooices available are "Create Library" and "Choose Library". I assumed you meant "Choose", so that's what I selected. I selected the library that was copied over to the Shared Folder. Here's where I run into problems... I selected the music folder that was in her Music\iTunes\iTunes Music, and I get an error message stating something to the effect about not having the privileges to write to Macintosh HD. Now, both her and I have read/write for MAC HD, the entire SHARED folder, and Shared\Music and EVERY folder and file within it. Which leads me to another question. I I place or save a file in the shared folder, why do I have to keep going into the file and adding melinda for read/write. Doesn't that negate the purpose of the shared folder?
  • by Chris CA,

    Chris CA Chris CA Feb 20, 2009 8:01 PM in response to jzier139
    Level 9 (79,533 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 20, 2009 8:01 PM in response to jzier139
    Right click - get info on the Shared folder.
    Set the Owner: to System with R/W.
    Set the Group: to Wheel with R/W.
    Set Others: to R/W.
    Then *Apply to enclosed items...*
  • by jzier139,

    jzier139 jzier139 Mar 28, 2009 8:22 AM in response to Chris CA
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 28, 2009 8:22 AM in response to Chris CA
    Does this work for the Apps too?