iTunes

[geekhelp4u]

I have seen more and more people using iTunes these days. I was hoping we had some members on here who are one of them and can offer the rest of us some help!

What software is best for backing up and/or restoring iTunes music, settings, etc.

Or what steps can we do to make a new imaged or new machine more friendly for iTunes users.

What do you use instead of iTunes to manage your iPods and music/movie collections.

Thanks in advance, and please feel free to comment or add any ideas if you have them!

[RonWood]

If the old machine still boots, please try to open itunes and deauthorize the computer.
Itunes > Store > Deauthorize Computer

This will help make sure they don't hit the 5 machine limit per account.

When backing up the movies/music/etc make sure you put it back where it belongs.

Also save the files from the iTunes directory.

If you install iTunes for the customer and then go into the itunes folder and replace the Database file and the XML file then you should simply open iTunes and their music should be there.

I have never noticed anything with custom playlists, most of the clients I have seen just have all the music there.

Hope this helps and maybe someone has a better/easier/smarter way than me

[jj2000]

i personally use http://www.mediamonkey.com/ to manage my ipod,as for backing up itunes heres a couple of links from apple.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1382
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2171?viewlocale=en_US
i am also testing out songbird from mozilla but i am not finding it very stable at the moment. http://getsongbird.com/

[Blues]

I use iTunes just becuase it came out when WinAMP went to hell and I haven't looked back and then I got an iPod giving me little reason to look at other apps. The back up is simple with the exception of Playlist you will need to export them in iTunes the rest of it is just the iTunes folder in My Music and the iTunes settings in Local Settings and Application Data

C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Apple Computer
note: contains all apple app data
C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local Settings\Application Data\Apple Computer
note: you need both I don't get it but what ever
C:\Music\iTunes
note: mine is remaped the default is C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\My Music\iTunes

I think that if you have all 3 folders you get your playlist but just in case I recommend exporting the playlist

[TimeCode]

You should ALWAYS:

1. Go to EDIT > PREFERENCES > ADVANCED tab > put a checkmark in the "KEEP ITUNES MUSIC FOLDER ORGANIZED" box.
2. While you're still there, put a checkmark in the "COPY FILES TO ITUNES MUSIC FOLDER WHEN ADDING TO LIBRARY" box.

If you don't do these, you'll never be able to get all of the user's songs. They'll have them spread out over 50 folders in 3 HDs.

If you find you have reached 5 authorizations, you can reset your authorization count by clicking Deauthorize All in the Account Information screen.

1. Click iTunes Store in the menu on the left side of iTunes.
2. If you're not signed in to the store, click the Account button, then enter your account name and password.
3. Click the Account button again (your ID appears on the button), enter your password, and then click View Account.
4. In the Account Information window, click "Deauthorize All".

You can only use this feature once a year. The "Deauthorize All" button will not appear if you have less than 5 authorized computers, or if you have used this option within the last 12 months.

[robert152]

Not sure if this has been posted (Haven't taken the time to search), but thought I would throw this in here. iTunes music is now DRM free! All music downloaded through iTunes now won't be in their protected .m4p format.

If you have purchased DRM music, you can convert them to .mp3 using iTunes but there is a nominal charge of $.30 per song, and like $.60 per video.

What's New?
iTunes Plus.
More music to love.

Now you can choose from millions of high-quality, DRM-free songs from all four major music labels. Just one of the many great things about iTunes 8. Learn more

iTunes

[Methical]

I prefer MediaMonkey to iTunes. Does the same + more. Great forum over @ mediamonkey.com with heaps of scripts developed by the community.
Handles large music databases extremely well. I know of people with over 2TB worth of music, and MediaMonkey still runs quick. I managed to tidy up my 50,000 mp3 tags with MediaMonkey and its scripts in a few hours.

[purple_minion]

I have always hated itunes, and anything that has to install quickcrap. Plus the stupid way to backup your music, and more importantly the way you can't easily backup your play lists with rated music!!!!! I spent a lot of time rating all the rock songs, the pop songs, etc. and they make it too difficult, should just be able to export them. Perhaps things have changed recently but it hasn't impressed me. I will take a look at mediamonkey, thanks for the tip.

EDIT: Not too impressed with the paying for more then one playlist. Sadly I will check out these free alternatives.
http://www.yamipod.com/main/modules/home/
http://www.getsharepod.com/about/
http://www.floola.com/modules/wiwimo...?page=WiwiHome

[i2omani]

or you can use idump to reverse engineer the process!