Multiple Users, One iPhoto Library

[Jay42]

We have a mac mini that serves as the family's central computer. I want to have all three users be able to view and change one iPhoto library. For example, if User A imports pictures off a digital camera, Users B and C should be able to view them on their accounts. The way I have tried to set this up is by having the iPhoto Library folder in Mac Mini HD>Public so that its in a destination that can be accessed by everyone. However, iPhoto has been crashing on import with my Nikon 5900 (but it imports fine on my PB with only one user). Is it because of this? Is this the best way to do it?

 

[Will Cheyney]

The way you have proposed is exactly what I would have suggested.
I would have however placed it in the 'Shared' director found at:
Macintosh HD > Users > Shared

I believe the contents of this folder are universally accessible.
As for the crashing, I have no idea what could be causing this. It is highly unlikely that it is anything to do with the shared folder situation though.

 

[James Philp]

http://www.dougscripts.com/itunes/itinfo/sharedlib.php

It's basically having one global library in a shared volume/folder, and creating aliases to it to put in the user's folder.

Note - with iTunes only really works when 1 user is attached at a time.

Double note - It's quite easy with iPhoto - put the library in a shared folder/volume, and then trash the iphoto prefs for all users. When iPhoto asks whether you want to create a new library or locate one, click locate and then find the relevant folder/volume.

P.s. Whatever folder you put it in, you have to make sure the permissions are correct. Creating a folder in HD/x is allowed read/write access just from the administrator who created it. for a better result either place it in the folder suggested by the above post, or change the permissions.

 

[Jay42]

Thank you very much. Just to be sure, what are the correct permissions to allow anyone on the machine to read/write? The thing that lead me to believe that it is the library sharing that causes iPhoto to crash on import is the fact that the camera syncs fine with my PowerBook (where only one user accesses the library). I'll give your suggestions a shot.