Converting iMac to the family computer...
The G4 Cube was our family computer, now it is going to be the iMac I am typing this on...what steps should I take to make sure that the iMac is ready to be used by them?
How do I go about switching the iTunes library over to my new computer (PowerBook) and how do I change the iMac's user name to 'Family'?
What are common procedures when switching users of a machine?
How do I go about switching the iTunes library over to my new computer (PowerBook) and how do I change the iMac's user name to 'Family'?
What are common procedures when switching users of a machine?
Comments
Originally posted by Messiahtosh
The G4 Cube was our family computer, now it is going to be the iMac I am typing this on...what steps should I take to make sure that the iMac is ready to be used by them?
How do I go about switching the iTunes library over to my new computer (PowerBook) and how do I change the iMac's user name to 'Family'?
What are common procedures when switching users of a machine?
If the iMac doesn't have anything you want to hold on to and the cube has everything you need on it, I'd just clone the HD of the cube to the iMac. That's the easiest way to do things.
The iTunes library, you need to copy over the music folder from the cube to the powerbook. That's it. All your playlists will move as well.
Originally posted by Messiahtosh
Even purchased music will automatically be recognized as legal on the PowerBook?
All you have to do is try to play a purchased song and it will tell you that you need to authorize your computer. When you do it for one song, the rest will be fine. BTW, make sure you deauthorize the cube before you sell it.
Originally posted by torifile
The iTunes library, you need to copy over the music folder from the cube to the powerbook. That's it. All your playlists will move as well.
What about ratings and play counts? I'm assuming youre talking about the whole itunes folder, xml and files.
Originally posted by ipodandimac
What about ratings and play counts? I'm assuming youre talking about the whole itunes folder, xml and files.
As far as I know, all that stuff will be moved with your Music folder (the one in your home directory called "Music"). I think that information is contained in the xml files. That's the reason I specified that folder and not the individual music folders.
Originally posted by Messiahtosh
I usually drop all my music (illegal downloads) onto the iTunes icon, it imports it, then I drop the file into the music folder. So I need to transfer the iTunes library AND music folder then, right?
You ARE telling iTunes to organize your music for you, right? If you have "keep iTunes music folder organized" and "copy files to itunes music folder when adding to library" checked, all you have to do is copy your Music folder. If not, you should think about using this feature. It will make a copy of your music (not move it) in the correct folder in the Music folder and leave the original alone. I just delete them after I add them to my library. If you don't have this option selected, you should do it, iTunes will do its organizing thing and you're all set.
To recap: have iTunes organize your music for you and you'll only have to move your Music folder and nothing else.