Coordinating two iTunes SMB shared libraries via iTunes PC and iTunes Mac

In an earlier post [1] I asked about using both Mac and Win iTunes to
manage a library shared on an SMB server.

Reports indicate that the two clients cannot both manipulate a single
"database" (set of XML files). Each must have their own database.

OTOH, their is a way to burn from two machines and coordinate the
libraries for synching to an iPod. Since I have a fast XP machine and
a slow OS X machine, I like to do heavy duty importing on the XP
machine. OTOH, for various reasons, I like to sync my iPod from my
iBook (OS X). So I need this arrangement.

Here's what I do:

Configuration:

1. Win2K based SMB share with two iTunes libraries. One is made up of
CDs burned from a PC iTunes, one from an OS iTunes. Both iTunes are on
networked machines.

Settings.

1. In iTunes advances setting configure iTunes library to SMB share.
2. Check "keep iTunes music folder organized".
3. UNCHECK "copy files to iTunes music folder when adding to library".
(This means library will have a pointer to files on server.
4. When I IMPORT music from CD, or purchase via Music Store, the
iTunes instance I'm using puts the library in its own folder
hierarchy.
5. Periodically, in the Finder or Win/Explorer, I use "add to library"
and choose the entire "alien" folder. iTunes does not create
duplicates. It may delete information that iTunes keeps only in its
library, such as equalizer settings, comments, rankings, etc.

john
jfaughnan@spamcop.net

meta: jfaughnan, jgfaughnan, iTunes, Macintosh, Windows, Microsoft,
Apple, iPod, library, server, SMB share, shared, PC, Mac, OS X, XP,
Windows 2000

[1] http://groups.google.com/groups?selm...ing.google.com