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I know. There are many threads which deal with this question already, and I've seen this post on numerous occasions, by louishen:
My question though, is specific in dealing with the fact that my Macbook Pro has no music on it whatsoever. My original files have been copied over from my Linux machine, and I have my folders and files arranged as such:
Folders
A-F
G-L
M-R
S-Z
And within those folders the artist's who's names correspond to said letters etc.. Now I remember, the last time I went to copy everything into the iTunes library, it totally messed up that heirarchy, and started making rogue folders in random places, a total mess all round.
If I choose the "consolidate" option, will that automatically copy all of the files to the exact same directory that I have pointed iTunes to on the external drive ? Is that really necessary to do in order for the iTunes library to exist there ? I'm guessing that it is necessary in order for an iTunes library to be built, and that I can't simply drag the existing library (which is in the iTunes folder on the Mac) to the music folder on the external ? (because they're based on two different queries I'm thinking)
Third question: What's absolutely necessary, is that whenever I put new folders/albums on the external drive, iTunes should see them and import them automatically. Is this possible as well ? I don't download from iTunes. I rip my own music on my Linux box then usually transport them over to the external HD. I know that there isn't a "watch folders" option in iTunes (which is the dumbest thing ever) but how might iTunes otherwise know when there IS new music to be found ?
And I know all about the obvious, since I've read so many threads already which say to untick the boxes in preferences which say to copy to the iTunes library etc.. But I've also read other things which say that I should have the copy to iTunes library box checked if I want new files copied .. It just seems that there are many conflicting results for this one thing.
Either way, I'm ready to try whatever it takes to get this task done. I've finally got my Airport Extreme working with all my external drives, and wireless printer, this is one of the last steps. The next and hopefully final, is to achieve the same step with my photos in something like Aperture etc..
doug
Edit: I'm also guessing that I should create another folder on my external drive and choose that one for the iTunes library, so that if I do have to consolidate" the folders and files won't be mixed in with my original music folder, correct ?
Keeping your iTunes collection on an external
The following assumes you want to keep all your iTunes music and movies on an external disk and ensure new music is always stored on the external drive.
First, you need to consolidate your iTunes Library to a folder you have chosen of the external drive.
Select the command consolidate library from the Advanced Menu. This will copy all your itunes media to the external folder and link the itunes library file to it
The files will now be on the external while the library.xml file (the index as it were) will still be in the Users > Me > Music folder of your mac.
If you want this file on the external as well as well, copy it to external iTunes folder, start itunes with the alt key pressed and you will have the option to select the library file now on the external
Select the library file you just copied and now both your music and the library are on the external
You can now delete the old Itunes folder off your mac
You can also use the choose library dialogue to switch between a large music collection on the external and a smaller music folder on the mac if you wish
My question though, is specific in dealing with the fact that my Macbook Pro has no music on it whatsoever. My original files have been copied over from my Linux machine, and I have my folders and files arranged as such:
Folders
A-F
G-L
M-R
S-Z
And within those folders the artist's who's names correspond to said letters etc.. Now I remember, the last time I went to copy everything into the iTunes library, it totally messed up that heirarchy, and started making rogue folders in random places, a total mess all round.
If I choose the "consolidate" option, will that automatically copy all of the files to the exact same directory that I have pointed iTunes to on the external drive ? Is that really necessary to do in order for the iTunes library to exist there ? I'm guessing that it is necessary in order for an iTunes library to be built, and that I can't simply drag the existing library (which is in the iTunes folder on the Mac) to the music folder on the external ? (because they're based on two different queries I'm thinking)
Third question: What's absolutely necessary, is that whenever I put new folders/albums on the external drive, iTunes should see them and import them automatically. Is this possible as well ? I don't download from iTunes. I rip my own music on my Linux box then usually transport them over to the external HD. I know that there isn't a "watch folders" option in iTunes (which is the dumbest thing ever) but how might iTunes otherwise know when there IS new music to be found ?
And I know all about the obvious, since I've read so many threads already which say to untick the boxes in preferences which say to copy to the iTunes library etc.. But I've also read other things which say that I should have the copy to iTunes library box checked if I want new files copied .. It just seems that there are many conflicting results for this one thing.
Either way, I'm ready to try whatever it takes to get this task done. I've finally got my Airport Extreme working with all my external drives, and wireless printer, this is one of the last steps. The next and hopefully final, is to achieve the same step with my photos in something like Aperture etc..
doug
Edit: I'm also guessing that I should create another folder on my external drive and choose that one for the iTunes library, so that if I do have to consolidate" the folders and files won't be mixed in with my original music folder, correct ?