sharing itunes and iphoto between users...

[stormyuklondon1]

probably an extremely simple answer to this, but how do i share content in itunes and iphoto from my administrator account to other user accounts on my imac?

cheers

 

[Le Big Mac]

probably an extremely simple answer to this, but how do i share itunes and iphoto from my administrator account and other user accounts on my imac?

cheers

never mind. i read the question wrong

 

[timmac]

I had my iphoto set a very easy way---just by altering permissions---but that stopped working one day. I had to use this fix. It involves using terminal, so it can be scary to some users, but it's really very easy.

For itunes, I just set my library (it's in the advanced pane of the preferences) to a shared folder, and my wife, who has her own account on the iMac, set her library to the same folder.

 

[calebjohnston]

Yeah, timmac was doing it right. Putting all the files in the shared folder, and then setting programs on both accounts to look there for the files. That way you get your own account, but you also get to share the same pictures and music, and they will be updated for both accounts automatically.

 

[n-abounds]

Yea, put both iPhoto and iTunes libraries in the shared folder. But then, just make two aliases of both, and put one in your home folder and one in the other home folder. I think that's even easier than having the programs look there.

 

[twoodcc]

very interesting. i never thought of that. now to be able to do something like that for 2 whole computers....that's what i need to do

 

[Thanatoast]

I have a related question: How do I import photos from an iPod into iPhoto?

 

[yellow]

iTunes: How to share music between different accounts on a single computer

 

[stormyuklondon1]

thanks for the help guys, but having just told my missus what i was doing, she said 'why? i'd never listen to your rubbish anyway!' women, eh?

 

[n-abounds]

I have a related question: How do I import photos from an iPod into iPhoto?

Here's a script that should work for you based on what I use for my music. Open Terminal and type the following:

cd /Users/yourusername/Desktop/
mkdir iPod\ Picture\ Files/
cd /Volumes/(first three or so letters of your iPod's name as it appears on the desktop then hit tab, don't include these parentheses, it will fill in the info for you)
find . -name "*.jpg" -exec cp {} /Users/yourusername/Desktop/iPod\ Picture\ Files \;

It might take a while to finish since pictures are large files, and transfers from iPods are slow.

If you have picture files in formats other than .jpg (like .tif), just make another line like the one with .jpg in it like:
find . -name "*.tif" -exec cp {} /Users/yourusername/Desktop/iPod\ Picture\ Files \;

On your desktop, you should have a file with pictures in it. If it works, I'd open Automator and select "Run Shell Script". Type everything just as it appeared in Terminal (including what Terminal filled in about your iPod's name).
Then just hit "Run" in Automator...it may take quite a while to finish. If it works, save it as an application you can launch, or a plug-in for finder.

Keep in mind I only have an iPod Mini (no photos). But it did find jpegs in one of the folders on my iPod that I just use for backup of my photos.


If that's all too complicated, you can open Terminal and type this to reveal hidden files. Any pictures on your iPod are in hidden files (I assume):
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE
killall Finder

Then look at your desktop, and click the iPod, and go through all those files and find your pictures. Copy them to your desktop or whatever you want. When you're done, type this to hide the files again:
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles FALSE
killall Finder