iTunes and fast user switching in Panther

jfg · 10-27-2003, 10:53 AM

After installing Panther, I still was using iTunes 4.0.1(?). If I started playing a song on iTunes then switched users, the song continued to play. Nice behavior IMO. Then I upgraded iTunes to 4.1. Now when I switch users iTunes stops playing AND the second user can't even start the iTunes app. Any ideas how I can make 4.1 continue playing upon switching OR how to downgrade iTunes to the version that did behave this way?

cameron · 10-28-2003, 02:04 AM

i would really like to know how to use itunes 4.1 with two different users too. i leave itunes running all the time, and when i walk away and my wife wants to use the computer she just does the fast user switching (which is a great feature, btw), but then she can't use itunes ("itunes is in use by another user, please ask that user to close itunes" or something like that). so, how can she use it without me having to remember to quit itunes when i'm finished (it isn't like it is playing a song, it is just open).

hayne · 10-28-2003, 03:31 AM

Caveat: the following procedure may cause problems with iTunes. It may cause it to crash. It may even cause corruption of your songs. I haven't tested this - I don't even have Panther yet.

It occurs to me that a way around the difficulty might be for each user to run his/her own separate copy of the iTunes application.
If you are still game to try this after reading the above caveat, try doing this:
Use Finder to duplicate the iTunes application and then move the duplicate copy over to your home folder and put it under ~/Applications
Then double-click on the iTunes that is under your own home folder instead of the usual one.

houchin · 10-28-2003, 09:12 AM

Instead of trying to get around this restriction, why don't you take Fast User Switching one step further and create an "iTunes" user? Put all your music and playlists from all your users into the Music for that single iTunes user. Then just run iTunes as that special iTunes user. When you need to change what's playing, just use FUS to switch to iTunes.

hayne · 10-28-2003, 10:11 AM

Quote:


	Originally posted by houchin why don't you take Fast User Switching one step further and create an "iTunes" user?

From what I've read, iTunes stops playing when you switch to another user. So that won't work.

houchin · 10-28-2003, 11:34 AM

I had heard exactly the opposite, but when I just tested it out, you're right. The sound stops. Oh well, that would have been a great solution.

mervTormel · 10-28-2003, 11:39 AM

Quote:


	Originally posted by hayne From what I've read, iTunes stops playing when you switch to another user. So that won't work.

it used to keep playing in an earlier build

darndog · 10-28-2003, 03:45 PM

Is this 'only 1 copy of iTunes can run' restriction limited to iTunes or does it effect all Applications and FUS?
If this is just an iTunes thing then conceivably there's a possibility of some shenanigans that Apple wanted shut down pronto... I wonder what? dD

Craig R. Arko · 10-28-2003, 03:55 PM

Most likely it is an issue with requiring exclusive device access; in this case either a CD/RW or an attached iPod.

Havoc might ensue if multiple users try to control one device simultaneously. Who wins?

edit - there is actually a trick to get around the single iTunes instance that was published by a guy at MacNN. I'd be a little hesitant myself, but it only involved editing as info.plist item in a copy of iTunes for the additional user.

jfg · 10-28-2003, 11:47 PM

I managed to find a copy of iTunes 4.0.1 on another machine and just dragged the application over to my machine and now I can continue to hear the music when my wife checks her email (fast user switching). I also tried to install 4.0.1 with the installer, but it refused! Guess Apple doesn't want us to go back because they might accidently give us features that they don't think we can handle

Anyways, I'd suggest not updating to 4.1 from 4.0.1 if you want this feature and haven't already done it.

jfg · 10-28-2003, 11:53 PM

BTW, I forgot to mention that the second user still cannot control iTunes (or a second copy), but I'd rather the music were not interrupted anyways.

comodin · 11-09-2003, 07:24 PM

iChat is disconnecting if i use FUS.
i like to stay online while installing apps with my admin-account.

but here is the discription how to use iTunes:
http://www.livejournal.com/users/gom...d=32425#t32425

look at google for: LSMultipleInstancesProhibited

or look here:
http://developer.apple.com/documenta...Switching.html

houchin · 01-09-2004, 08:30 PM

Newsflash...

It looks like the software gods have answered the request in the form of iTunes interuser-Remote:

http://www.hackingthesoul.com/software/iTiR.html

I haven't tried it, but it specifically addresses the original problem

10-27-2003, 10:53 AM	#1
jfg Prospect Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 3	iTunes and fast user switching in Panther After installing Panther, I still was using iTunes 4.0.1(?). If I started playing a song on iTunes then switched users, the song continued to play. Nice behavior IMO. Then I upgraded iTunes to 4.1. Now when I switch users iTunes stops playing AND the second user can't even start the iTunes app. Any ideas how I can make 4.1 continue playing upon switching OR how to downgrade iTunes to the version that did behave this way?

10-28-2003, 03:31 AM	#3
hayne Site Admin Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Montreal Posts: 32,473	an idea Caveat: the following procedure may cause problems with iTunes. It may cause it to crash. It may even cause corruption of your songs. I haven't tested this - I don't even have Panther yet. It occurs to me that a way around the difficulty might be for each user to run his/her own separate copy of the iTunes application. If you are still game to try this after reading the above caveat, try doing this: Use Finder to duplicate the iTunes application and then move the duplicate copy over to your home folder and put it under ~/Applications Then double-click on the iTunes that is under your own home folder instead of the usual one.

10-28-2003, 11:47 PM	#10
jfg Prospect Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 3	go back to 4.0.1(if you can) I managed to find a copy of iTunes 4.0.1 on another machine and just dragged the application over to my machine and now I can continue to hear the music when my wife checks her email (fast user switching). I also tried to install 4.0.1 with the installer, but it refused! Guess Apple doesn't want us to go back because they might accidently give us features that they don't think we can handle Anyways, I'd suggest not updating to 4.1 from 4.0.1 if you want this feature and haven't already done it.

10-28-2003, 11:53 PM	#11
jfg Prospect Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 3	only one user of iTunes 4.0.1 BTW, I forgot to mention that the second user still cannot control iTunes (or a second copy), but I'd rather the music were not interrupted anyways.

11-09-2003, 07:24 PM	#12
comodin Prospect Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: planet earth Posts: 1	iChat is disconnecting if i use FUS. i like to stay online while installing apps with my admin-account. but here is the discription how to use iTunes: http://www.livejournal.com/users/gom...d=32425#t32425 look at google for: LSMultipleInstancesProhibited or look here: http://developer.apple.com/documenta...Switching.html Last edited by comodin; 11-09-2003 at 07:54 PM.

10-28-2003, 02:04 AM	#2
cameron Prospect Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 6	i would really like to know how to use itunes 4.1 with two different users too. i leave itunes running all the time, and when i walk away and my wife wants to use the computer she just does the fast user switching (which is a great feature, btw), but then she can't use itunes ("itunes is in use by another user, please ask that user to close itunes" or something like that). so, how can she use it without me having to remember to quit itunes when i'm finished (it isn't like it is playing a song, it is just open).

10-28-2003, 09:12 AM	#4
houchin Major Leaguer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Northern Virginai Posts: 294	Instead of trying to get around this restriction, why don't you take Fast User Switching one step further and create an "iTunes" user? Put all your music and playlists from all your users into the Music for that single iTunes user. Then just run iTunes as that special iTunes user. When you need to change what's playing, just use FUS to switch to iTunes.

10-28-2003, 11:34 AM	#6
houchin Major Leaguer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Northern Virginai Posts: 294	I had heard exactly the opposite, but when I just tested it out, you're right. The sound stops. Oh well, that would have been a great solution.

10-28-2003, 03:45 PM	#8
darndog Major Leaguer Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: UK Posts: 306	Is this 'only 1 copy of iTunes can run' restriction limited to iTunes or does it effect all Applications and FUS? If this is just an iTunes thing then conceivably there's a possibility of some shenanigans that Apple wanted shut down pronto... I wonder what? dD

10-28-2003, 03:55 PM	#9
Craig R. Arko Site Admin Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 3,988	Most likely it is an issue with requiring exclusive device access; in this case either a CD/RW or an attached iPod. Havoc might ensue if multiple users try to control one device simultaneously. Who wins? edit - there is actually a trick to get around the single iTunes instance that was published by a guy at MacNN. I'd be a little hesitant myself, but it only involved editing as info.plist item in a copy of iTunes for the additional user.

01-09-2004, 08:30 PM	#13
houchin Major Leaguer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Northern Virginai Posts: 294	iTunes interuser-Remote Newsflash... It looks like the software gods have answered the request in the form of iTunes interuser-Remote: http://www.hackingthesoul.com/software/iTiR.html I haven't tried it, but it specifically addresses the original problem