dkulash

Thanks Eloise, NetTunes, mentioned n the MacWorld links you've provided, comes pretty close: it presents the remote computer's itunes window (not the whole screen) on your local desktop. But unfortunately, it's not Leopard compatible. Also, a third party app means getting all visitors to install it and then giving them a little orientation, in which case I might as well just go back to leading them through screen sharing. To clarify on the streaming question: I understand that Screen Sharing streams nothing but the monitor image. But (if I understand correctly) iTunes' Shared Libraries work like this: the music streams from the remote computer to the local one, where the local iTunes application then plays it. So my worry is that setting up a shared library in iTunes on the Mac Mini will mean anyone playing the music will be streaming it to their local computer (and then perhaps streaming it back to the "speakers" if I can figure out how to get the Mac Mini to work with AirTunes, a la the Aiport Express) So perhaps this is a better way to ask my question: Can a Shared Library in Itunes be setup such that remote (laptop) users can play music directly out of the local (Mac Mini) computer? And also, how do I get my Mac Mini to be seen as a selectable "speaker" from other machines on the network? Thanks again

Hi everyone. I've been lurking around for several days hoping to find the answer to this one, but I still haven't been able to so here goes. I've got a Mac Mini (for music only) connected directly to my DAC, and I'd like to access it from several other Macs around my house. The solution that seems most popular among the posters here is to use Screen Sharing. However, the screen sharing option isn't ideal for me, for a couple reasons: 1) there's something a little screwy with my network so it occasionally runs painfully slowly, and more importantly, 2) I work out of my house with a rotating cast of characters, nearly all of whom have Mac laptops, but nearly none of whom are familiar with networking tools like Screen Sharing. In the past week I've had to walk 4 different people through the process, and while it only takes a few minutes, the extra effort basically defeats the purpose (convenience) of the shared server. Ideally, what I'd like is to just tell people they can choose songs out of a shared Itunes library and have the songs play over the system connected to the Mac Mini. If I gather correctly, an airport express should help out: I could set up a shared the library on the Mac Mini, and then people can play from that library and choose the AirTunes speakers from the Airport Express . A couple questions on this, though: 1) Do I really need the extra piece of hardware? I already have a router, and the Mac Mini sits right next to the DAC with the same optical out I'd be buying in an Aiport Express . So can't I just set up the Mac Mini to "be" a set of speakers, like I would with an Airport Express? If so, how? 2) If I play music selected from a shared library, but play it through the Itunes application running on my wirelessly networked MacBook, won't I effectively be streaming the music from the Mini to my MacBook and then right back to the Airtunes device? If so, I assume this will (fatally?) tax my crappy network, and I imagine all that streaming can't be good for the sound, either. In summation, is there some good way to play the songs straight out of the Mac Mini, but control it from other Macs via shared iTunes libraries, rather that Screen Sharing? Thanks in advance.