We work it manually -- we share the same big iTunes library between 3 iPods. We make tons of Playlists. We do NOT have our iPods automatically sync, but just drag the songs, playlists, podcasts as we like them. Our musical tastes are quite different and this allows us to just choose what we want. It works well for us. We subscribe to podcasts, but I am the only one who listens to them. It seems to work just fine for the way we use our iPods (nano, new nano, and 2nd generation iPod classic).

iTunes has a Grouping field that you could use to sort by user preference. In Rob's case, he could divide the files into three categories with three different Grouping entries: Rob Only, Rob & Katie, and Katie Only. Then he could create two smart playlists: one that looks for "Rob" in the Grouping field, and another that looks for "Katie." Rob's iPod syncs to the Rob smart playlist, and Katie's syncs to hers.

Would this work for you, Rob? Am I missing something?

Y'all are uncivilized - you wouldn't keep all your underwear together, so why your songs?

By that I mean we have separate computers, and no conflicts.

The trick to managing multiple iPods while giving each person the ability to futz with all of their settings, ratings, playlists, etc., and without having duplicate music files is to remember that iTunes distinguishes between the Library (the database that contains all of the metadata about the music) and the underlying music files; all you have to do is keep all of your music in one shared folder, but have a different Library for each user. (To do that: hold down option (Mac) or shift (Win) while loading iTunes, and it will let you create a new Library database file or switch to a different Library database. The database used is saved between invocations, so you'll have to get into the habit of holding down the modifier key and choosing your own Library each time you open iTunes (or be OK w/ occasionally having to quit iTunes and reopen it w/ the modifier key if you discover after opening it that it was last used by the other person), but the friends that I taught this trick to seem to think that it's worth that little hassle to avoid much greater marital strife.)

Sweth is 100% correct about the distinction between the iTunes library and the underlying music files. He also correctly explains how to have two different libraries. And his method will even work if the two users are using the same login on WinXP. But if you and your wife are using different logins, then you each automatically have your own iTunes library. All you have to do is each add to your own library only the music you want. This could be from shared files, or, if you have no storage space issues, you can each have copies of the common tracks in your own iTunes Music folder. Your smart playlist solution seems much more complicated and, I would think, involves more difficult navigation on the iPod.

I guess what I am really saying is I do not understand why you think Apple's proposed solution (which assumes separate logins and using shared files) is inadequate or too difficult. Adding files to an iTunes library (following Apple's instructions) when the files are already accessible on the computer is easy and fast. And contrary to what you suggest, you don't have to copy the underlying music files twice (although you can, by keeping checked the box Apple suggests you uncheck). You only have to tell each of the iTunes.itl files where to find the songs you want each library to use.

My wife and I have grappled with this problem, since our musical tastes also diverge. The solution we adopted was to create our own playlists and to sync our iPods manually to the playlists that we designate.

We keep our iTunes music in the "Shared" user directory on our iMac, and I've dabbled with trying to manage our iPods separately from each of our user accounts (in which iTunes is linked to the shared library). The problem with this was that whenever I ripped a CD, the new music would be added only to the library in the user profile that was active, and I'd have to log into the other profile and add it manually if I wanted it to be available for both of us. Keeping separate playlists was less trouble.

Hemisphire is exactly right: separate computers equals a long and happy marriage. Same goes for bathrooms.

You want annoyance? I got annoyance for you...All my music resides on a server. Everytime I put my macbook pro to sleep or shut it down I need to go into the network and connect to the library again. Why in the world can't Tiger or Leopard maintain a network connection. I know windows has done this at least as far back as NT 3.51

I have a simple solution. I stay single.

Not that I want to.

I uncheck all my wife's songs that I don't want on my ipod and then tell itunes to only sync checked songs to my ipod.

4 and 5 stars my music
1 and 2 stars her music
3 stars liked by both
Then make all the forced all automatic playlists you like based on star rating and music type. You'll be good to go!

We have the songs etc on a network server. We each have login accounts on each computer. My settings have iTunes look at my library on the network drive. Her settings have iTunes look at her library on the network drive. Both libraries reference songs in the shared music folder on the network drive.

It's very simple.

Separate computers, shared media library (via file sharing or network attached storage). Then same files, each person gets their own itunes or media manager of their preference.

separate computers or separate accounts on the same computer with the music files in a commnlon locarion is definetly the answer. (at least for us)

cj
I'm not in front of my mac right now so please pardon me if the steps aren't quite right. Open system preferences; select users; click on the log on items tab. Drag the icon(s) for any network share(a) you want loaded at start up into the list. Then the shares will be aitomatically mounted at startup. The only problem I've had with this is when the computer is restarted with an iPod connected. Then the iPod launches iTunes before the netork share is mounted.

cj is right about Macs dropping the network connection. This is never an issue on my wife's Windows laptop but is a real pain on my Macbook.

We have all of our music on a shared drive with separate libraries on each laptop. I put initials in the comments field to indicate whose music it is; mine, hers or both. I have not figured out how to keep the libraries synced when new music is added, though.

Sorry, this is probably off topic, but I can't find an email address for you elsewhere. I have a friend who has a collection of old audio tapes, and he wants to put them on CD. Can you direct me to a writeup on how to do this? I suspect it involves playing the tapes on his existing tape deck while using an output line to put them into the computer, but I need some coaching to be able to help him.

Thanks,
Hugh

Thanks for all the suggestions! To clear up some questions people have asked here:

* I didn't know about that "Grouping" idea, but that idea makes sense to me. Thanks, SSMD!

* "Buy a second computer" seems like just a little bit of overkill, don't you think?

* My wife and I have separate accounts, but she usually doesn't switch to hers. (She syncs her phone to her work computer and she uses Web-mail; aside from the iPod, none of her data needs to live on that machine). So the path of least resistance was to keep everything in my account. I suppose I could reconsider if the presence of some of her music in my userspace becomes sufficiently painful :)

* My e-mail address is robp@washpost.com. But... um, it's at the end of every single column that I write, it's listed in the directory at this site, Googling will find it, and you can just click on my byline to send me an e-mail. I don't mean to sound harsh, but where did you look and not find my e-mail address?

- RP

"My wife and I have separate accounts, but she usually doesn't switch to hers."

Ah, so it isn't a computer problem - it's a wife problem. :)

Another solutioin to this problem is get a Zune. I can have up to 3 Zune devices on the same account. Sweet

I was intrigued enough to click on the link to "sorting music autobiographically". I reached a no-brained page of collected drivel, ostensibly at IMDB. This can't be right. Surely *your* wife has brains?

For Solo Owl --

Some with brains just searched that page for "Autobiographical" and found this wonderful exchange from the movie "High Fidelity" -- a movie about making lists, especially music lists, and even with one of the characters named "Rob" --

Dick: I guess it looks as if you're reorganizing your records. What is this though? Chronological?
Rob: No...
Dick: Not alphabetical...
Rob: Nope...
Dick: What?
Rob: Autobiographical.
Dick: No f**king way.

Finding some of the fun things in life often takes a little time and effort. Thanks, Rob.

Chaz

Wow! I must be lucky - my wife and I have 99% music compatibility. Our first date was a George Clinton concert so she passed the first test with flying colors. Only exception (really) is Madonna. She loves her: I think it's a succubus. Interesting solutions but I think I'll stick with the one we use now (which is also Rob's original) as we have almost 3500 albums on a 1Tb drive. So there's no way I am going back and grouping or starring some 50K songs!

I found the program Music Rescue at kennettnet.co.uk/musicrescue, which is free to download.
It lets you rescue your music from an iPod back to your computer and also gives you the possibility to create more playlists in iTunes, so you can choose which one to use. (It adds 'Switch iTunes Library' under the Advanced tab).

The same thing happened to me. My solution was to create another Windows User account on the computer. iTunes sets its Music Library data per user. When she logged in and launched iTunes, her library was empty and she ripped her CD's or added my raw MP3's to her library and synced them to her iPod.

Two computers, two collections of music, two Itunes and two Ipods. Problem solved.

I got the iPod first and set up the library on a network drive. Then she got an iPod and connected her Mac to the network drive and got the library. Everything was fine until she selected the iTunes option "Let iTunes automatically screw up your collection." I was devastated as I thought all the songs were gone and then thought the way iTunes managed them was a pain. Turned out it was better than what I was doing so in the end it was better. Now we have separate libraries but shared files, although I suspect there are some files she is not sharing with me and keeping on her Mac.

She also complains about the Mac disconnecting from the network drive. She solves this by never turning it off. You can do that with a Mac. Occassionally the Internet connect goes down and the network needs to be bounced so there is no total solution.

Actually, my partner and I just get along with these hindrances. My beef with itunes is that my laptop crashed without a backup of the library. But hey, I've got my tunes on my ipod...can't be that bad can it? Unfortunately, you can't use your ipod to load tunes into a new hard drive library. Apparently, there's a program for purchase that can assist with that but I see this as a major flaw with itunes. Anyone else?

Hey 207guy,

There a more than a few applications which allow you to move your iPod's contents to another computer or hard drive. The one I have used is called iPodRip:

http://www.thelittleappfactory.com/application.php?app=iPodRip

Apple stays away from this as it would upset the record companies.

Cheers, Steve

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