iTunes Server & Library

[mikeycpa]

We recently purchased and have setup the ReadyNAS NV+. Love it! It's running on our network with a desktop (WinXP), an older laptop (Win2k), a Mac Powerbook G4 (OS X 10.2.8), and our TiVo Series 2. Once we set up the nas, we moved/combined our two music libraries from our prior Linux server and the Powerbook to the nas.

My question is regarding the iTunes Server that the nas shares accross the network. Currently, we're using iTunes (from the WinXP machine) to manage the library on the nas. iTunes points to the appropriate folder and keeps is sorted as well as maintains the ratings and playlists that get copied to my iPod. Since we have multiple user accounts on the WinXP box I can't leave iTunes running on there all the time to share it's library file accross the network. How can I tell the iTunes Server on the nas to use that library file (that has ratings, playlists, etc) for what it shares accross our network?

[stretch]

The way that most people get around this is to copy the library file across to the NAS. Keeping the two copies synchronised is the fun bit

Edit: Just remembered that the earlier version of mt-daapd (a.k.a Firefly) doesn't understand the iTunes library file. mt-daapd / Firefly is what Infrant uses as the "iTunes server"

[mikeycpa]

Well, I was going to ask where the ReadyNAS stored it's iTunes Library file, but since it using Firefly, I guess that's irrelevant. So I don't suppose there is a work around for this?

[stretch]

Firstly, i must point out that while i use Firefly, i don't use iTunes.

The first thing you'll have to do is update Firefly.
You can either install the .bin file that Infrant provide or switch to the beta firmware. You can find the link for the .bin file in http://www.infrant.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8587
If you use the .bin file the old web interface remains and if used will corrupt Firefly's config file.

The library file needs to be placed in the top level folder that firefly looks at for your music i.e. if Firefly is told c:/Music then that's where you put the library file.

To get a copy there you either manually copy it or write a script file to do it for you.

It would be nice if Apple put the library file in the same place as the library...
iTunes can handle the library being on a network drive but it refuses to put the library file there.