[phantomdragonz]

I want to create a user that can only use iTunes, so at partys and such I can leave my computer running and have people (roommates) pick music to play.

I tried creating a limited user, and having only iTunes selected, but iTunes could not see my library, I am assuming I will have to create a duplicate library, or just move my library to a shared folder. which I will do, BUT

I want to have a VERY simple user screen, so the desktop has one icon on it, that being iTunes. so that is the only thing they can click on and use.

can this be done?

Zach

[kcmac]

iPod.

[Dog Like Nature]

Limited user is the way to go.
As you said you'll need to put your songs in a shared folder.

I don't think you can have any icons on the desktop though... even by copying aliases to the Desktop directory of the limited user is blocked (probaby a good idea anyway).

[Miniryu]

Originally posted by Dog Like Nature:
Limited user is the way to go.
As you said you'll need to put your songs in a shared folder.

I don't think you can have any icons on the desktop though... even by copying aliases to the Desktop directory of the limited user is blocked (probaby a good idea anyway).

You don't need to move your music anywhere.

I share the same music library with all the users on my computer- this should work with a limited user account too.

The quick instructions: change the permissions of the main users Music folder to allow other users accounts to import the library file only. If you didn't understand that, read on.

First, log in as the main user. Then change the permission of the Music folder of your home directory to allow others to read only (select folder-->File-->Get Info-->Ownership & Permssions--> then change group Access to Read Only (this is assuming you keep your iTunes music collection in the default location- otherwise change the folder containing it in the same manner)

Now, log in as the iTunes-only user. Open iTunes, go to iTunes-->Prefferences...--> and make sure the boxes next to "Keep iTunes Music Folder organized" and "Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding..." are UNCHECKED. Then go File-->Import... and navigate to the iTunes folder in the Music folder of the main user (the one that you changed the permission for). Look for the file called "iTunes Music Library.xml" import it and you are good to go.

[phantomdragonz]

sweet... that makes it exactly what I want.... except for the fact that I still dont have my huge Icon on the desktop, but oh well. Cant have everything...


Zach

[Krusty]

You don't need to do any funky permissions/folder/importing nonsense. iTunes Music Sharing works between users on the same machine just as easily as across machines. Turn on Music Sharing in your main user, turn on "look for shared music" on the iTunes-only user. Your Library will pop up in the source list (of course, your user has to be logged in with iTunes open for the iTunes-only user to see it). This way, you don't have to mess with any permissions, you can easily toggle it on and off, and even limit what playlists they can access.

I actually made a brief web tutorial on the subject for my buddy who I helped buy an eMac so he could let his daughters (limited users) listen to his library. http://homepage.mac.com/krusty/lost/