[Jolt21]

im using my powerbook for the firt time, so when i copied all my music files from my PC, i naturally put them in the Music folder on my Macintosh HD...but when i play songs in iTunes, i notice that it copies the song into the iTunes folder...what is up with that? that takes up more space! why doesn't it just read the original? how do i change this?

[Jolt21]

AHHH!! Now iTunes has 2 copies of every song in my library! wth is going on!

[wataru]

Just being in the Music folder doesn't make iTunes recognize a song. iTunes is set by default to copy new additions to its Library into the iTunes music folder (set in the iTunes preferences). This helps iTunes manage your music.

[cpac]

and you can turn it off in your iTunes preferences, (or you can just delete the originals - it's nice to let iTunes continue copying because when you download songs you don't have to worry about filing them away somewhere - itunes does it for you the first time you double-click the file, and after that you can delete the original).

[thePurpleGiant]

^^ What they said. You didn't need to put it in your music folder, simply drag the music into iTunes, then delete the originals (since iTunes now has a copy).

You can turn this off, and have iTunes just reference your music where it is, but it is much easier (IMHO) to simply let iTunes copy the music, then delete your original copy.

[Jolt21]

ok, i got it, thanks guys....well i organize my music my own way, and iTunes messed it up (folder wise)..so i choose to do it myself..but thnx for the ideas

[Mediaman_12]

Originally posted by Jolt21:
ok, i got it, thanks guys....well i organize my music my own way, and iTunes messed it up (folder wise)..so i choose to do it myself..but thnx for the ideas

This seams to be the usuall way of thinking on the PC, they are all hung up on there own 'special' orgainisation. I don't see the point of it myself, why do you need to know where the music 'files' are on the HD, All mine are just in iTunes and I can find any using the search in there almost instantly (faster than browsing through the FInder anyway). If I want to coppy some tracks on to a CD or send them someone, I can just drag them from iTunes to the desktop and it coppy's them there.

[fiveyearwinter]

I love how you had to bring up how the PC causes you to think inefficiently.

[zewm]

I still use my PC on a regular basis, and I use my iBook as well. IMO, windows explorer is easier to navigate and that's why some PC users take some much care in organizing thier files certain ways, but after using my ibook for 8 months, whenever I have music on the ibook I use the "copy to itunes folder / delete original" method because its easier to control the music on the mac via itunes. but on PC, most people use winamp and its easier to just find a file via folder browsing and double click it, or what I often do is right click an album's folder and "play in winamp" which adds all mp3s in that folder to a clear winamp playlist. But, on itunes playlists play a bigger part, and are more organized than on winamp. Anyway, I'm sure after a few months of using his iBook he will use what he feels is more comfortable. I'm sure the "my own folder" method will become daunting after a while. The thing with switching from PC is that everything on a mac is so much simpler, that sometimes you think there is more to it because you are used to the PC way of doing things.

[mitchell_pgh]

I think iTunes does a great job of organizing for the most part, but I've seen super anal people freak out because iTunes treats compilations differently etc.

It's no big deal considering iTunes permits you to do it either way.

[Jolt21]

Originally posted by Mediaman_12:
This seams to be the usuall way of thinking on the PC, they are all hung up on there own 'special' orgainisation. I don't see the point of it myself, why do you need to know where the music 'files' are on the HD, All mine are just in iTunes and I can find any using the search in there almost instantly (faster than browsing through the FInder anyway). If I want to coppy some tracks on to a CD or send them someone, I can just drag them from iTunes to the desktop and it coppy's them there.

Well, i transfer files a lot to other people, and i am always looking for a specific album or song...and by the way i know it, i know where it is instantly...with iTunes, ti did it all by artists which screwed it up

[wataru]

It does it by artist and then album. Very logical, in my opinion. Besides, you can just find the song in iTunes (which is much easier, with the search function and all) and then control-click on it and choose "Reveal in Finder."

Seriously, iTunes does a great job organizing music. Just let it do its thing.