iPod New to Mac, 2 user accounts, 1 folder of music files, 2 libraries... can this be done

[MortalWombat UK]

Hi Folks,

In a few days time, my new iMac will be delivered (v. excited!!). I would like to have 2 user accounts on the mac, one for me and one for my wife. We would like to maintain our own ratings/playlists etc for our combined music collection... in other words, we would like to have a common pool for the actual music files, yet be able to maintain (and sync with our own ipods) our own libraries (incorporating playslists, ratings etc...). Can this be done?

I have read the following help topic:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203?locale=en_GB

but would like some reassurance that this will allow us to do what we want.

I hope I have explained myself clearly, and thanks in advance for any assistance!,

Regards,

MW

p.s. we would like to be able to rip new music to the common "pool" of music files, regardless of which user is logged in, and have the music available to both users without any tinkering that may cause duplicates.
p.p.s. the instructions linked to above suggest moving the music folder to shared folder... I have read other suggestions that you should move the folder to a Disk Image within a shared folder (see this tip, although this is for iPhoto rather than iTunes... ... is there any practical difference/benefit in doing one over the other?

 

[SnowLeopard2008]

You can do everything you mentioned except have different ratings for each user. iTunes is basically a "pool" you can rip new music to it from either user, but cannot rate it with a rating from each user. i dont see why you need ratings, if you have a big pool of music. it gets tedious to maintain it.

 

[MortalWombat UK]

You can do everything you mentioned except have different ratings for each user. iTunes is basically a "pool" you can rip new music to it from either user, but cannot rate it with a rating from each user. i dont see why you need ratings, if you have a big pool of music. it gets tedious to maintain it.

Thanks for your response... I guess rating the music is not critical (although I do use ratings to create smart playlists of my fave tunes), but am I right in thinking that we can both have different tracks from within the "pool" synced with our ipods?

 

[Lunchbox16]

Thanks for your response... I guess rating the music is not critical (although I do use ratings to create smart playlists of my fave tunes), but am I right in thinking that we can both have different tracks from within the "pool" synced with our ipods?

Just make sure you check the box that allows you to manually manage your music. That way you can import any files you want and your wife can do the same. If you want iTunes to automatically sync specific files, I'm afraid you're out of luck. If you have smart playlists you can choose the playlists you put on the iPod as well.

Cheers

 

[MortalWombat UK]

cheers

Thanks folks... anyone know if there is any benefit to creating a disk image in a shared location for the music, as opposed to just moving the music folder to shared location?

I'm sure I won't manage it, but I would like to set up my new Mac as best as possible first time around, (I am an advanced Windows user, but a complete noob regarding Macs)!

Thanks again,

MW

 

[SnowLeopard2008]

sure, actually moving the music folder is smarter, since they contain copies of the music. a disk image isnt neccessary.
wait, are you moving the actual folder itself or just copying it for backup? dont move the actual folder, just do a backup every week or something, by either copying the folder to a external HD or burning a disk from iTunes.