Q: Sync iTunes between Macs

Hi

Ahh, yes - good point. And it really is the whole library that I want synced. It's very irritating...and leaving iTunes will be a pain!

No, what I mean is it isn't necessary to copy your entire library. Only the library files and whatever files have changed. There should be no need to re-copy your entire media library every time you want to sync.

I'm STILL struggling with this, and there STILL doesn't seem to be a solution.

• SuperSync requires that the SS app be running on both computers, and you need to manually go through the sync process. Also, unless you haven to have a static IP, you can ONLY do this when both computers are on the same LAN. It won't do it automatically, or even at a preset interval without a LOT of AppleScripting, and if one computer is at home and you're on the road, forget it.
• iCloud is expensive, impossible unless one is willing to update to the newest OS right away every time (nope!) and seems to only work with purchased items (from what I have read; I am not running ElCapitan, so I can't say personally). iTunes match is also pricey, and seems to have issues with non-Apple content as well.
• Dropbox only sort of works. I have enough space to do it (I pay for DB for other reasons anyway), but it freaks out about keeping it updated. If iTunes is open on both computers, it just creates a new library file, so within a couple weeks you can have dozens of "Conflicted copies," none of which reflect the most current state of either library.

Nevertheless, so far the best (and that's not saying much) solution I have is Dropbox, despite its flaws. IF there was a simple way to ensure that iTunes was never open on both machines at once, DB would be a perfect solution, if you don't mind the price, or if you have to have it for other reasons already.

There IS a way to use a freeware app and AppleScript to close iTunes on one computers when you open it on another machine, (instructions on LifeHacker here: http://lifehacker.com/5715126/how-to-sync-itunes-across-all-your-computers-with- dropbox ) but that will only work on the same LAN. Again, without a Static IP, if your desktop is at home, and you are at a coffee shop with your laptop, forget it.

At best, one could supplement that with a script that tells iTunes to quit on each machine when it goes to sleep, but if you use streaming or Home Sharing, or even a WiFi sound system, you'd have to fiddle with it so it wouldn't cut off when you're listening to music but not otherwise using the computer.....

And all of this is a ridiculous amount of fiddling to do something Apple should have built in to iTunes a decade ago....but I hope it's helpful.

Unfortunately true syncing requires a program to reference a master file. Kind of like a ship's manifest. Who is onboard, who got off, who didn't make it- and update the list accordingly at every port so everyone is on the same page. In order for other harbormasters (aka "devices with itunes you want to sync") to get access to that manifest they need to communicate with the "captain." There are two ways: in person when the ship docks (on same wifi network) or announce it ahead of time (the cloud).

Unfortunately, I like many others, don't need a way to transfer newly purchased songs over. We need a way to keep our itunes libraries on the same page so that when we leave our desks at home, we can expect to see an identical itunes library on our laptops at work- down to the T. I need my itunes libraries to constantly talk to each other and consolidate - like on dropbox. If I delete a song I want to make sure it's deleted on my other devices. If I add a song, I want it transferred over to my devices.