iTunes craziness

[Let'sgoflying!]

(its probably just me)

So.

I have an mp3 on my desktop, a tune I want to insert into iLooneyToones.

I open iLTunes and drag it into my library, no problem. Its in iTunes, right?... and I can delete it off my desktop, right? I do so. I delete the file off my desktop.
Being the skeptic that I am, naturally I go test the itunes file and...it wont play. Says it can't find the file! Which I. Just. Put. Into. Itunes. And which I am looking at, in my library.
So I retrieve it from the trash, back to the desktop and all is well.

Some head scratching follows.
I figure with Homesharing I can give it to another computer, and surely it does not have to be on my desktop for them to use, a week later for example.
I do. I homeshare it to another computer and then stop homesharing, turn off the source computer radio, throw the desktop files into the trash. Yay, I can play the mp3 on computer #2!
Having outwitted it, I then homeshare it back to computer #1 and I achieve my goal, in a very roundabout way.

What is the correct way to do this???

 

[TMetzinger]

You probably don't have iTunes set to automatically move content to your "library" folder. I think what you have to do is import the file, then "consolidate" your library, or at least consolidate the file. That will move the file to your library folder.

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

You probably don't have iTunes set to automatically move content to your "library" folder.

Well, I really don't want iTunes to automatically harvest random music passing through my computer.
However I would like to have the option........but only when I give the word.

I think what you have to do is import the file, then "consolidate" your library, or at least consolidate the file. That will move the file to your library folder.

Import and Consildate. Why not drag and drop?!

 

[fgcason]

Why not drag and drop?!

In itunes drag and drop is not copy or move data. It's copy file reference location only and does not duplicate or move the source data or file. Delete the source file under these conditions and the lookup reference is to a non existent filename. We had someone copy from a memory stick to itunes for a dance show a few weeks ago then walk off with the memory stick. We found out what happens under those conditions about 2 seconds after the lights came up on the two in position dancers in total silence..the crickets were wondering what was going on.

I knew you could import cd's however I didn't know you could import files directly into itunes until this thread. I'm going to have to experiment now.

 

[TMetzinger]

Well, I really don't want iTunes to automatically harvest random music passing through my computer.
However I would like to have the option........but only when I give the word.



Import and Consildate. Why not drag and drop?!

If you set Itunes to automatically consolidate, then when you import music, and ONLY when you import music, it will move it to your library.

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

OK if I DO set it up to Automatically Consolidate,
what untoward consequences might I expect??

Yes, it will fix my problem you say.

BUT, what other fallout can I expect from checking that box?

 

[flyingcheesehead]

Well, I really don't want iTunes to automatically harvest random music passing through my computer.
However I would like to have the option........but only when I give the word.

I didn't either at first... Now I find it's easier to just let it.

Import and Consildate. Why not drag and drop?!

Umm... See above:

Well, I really don't want iTunes to automatically harvest random music passing through my computer.

You either want it, or you don't. You say you don't, but then you get mad at iTunes for that preference?

For me, it's Preferences -> Advanced -> Keep iTunes Media Folder Organized.

OK if I DO set it up to Automatically Consolidate, what untoward consequences might I expect??

Yes, it will fix my problem you say.

BUT, what other fallout can I expect from checking that box?

I was going to say "You'll have two copies of anything you drag onto it and don't delete" but I see that there's now another checkbox right below the "Keep iTunes Media Folder Organized" one for "Copy files to iTunes Media folder when adding to library" so that's not necessarily true any more. However, I'm guessing if you have the "Keep" one checked and the "Copy" one un-checked, that the file might disappear from your desktop once you drag it into iTunes.