Understanding How iTunes Music Sharing Works

When iTunes computers can communicate with each other over a network, they can access the Library stored on each computer. This means that you can see music in other iTunes Libraries and other computers can see the music stored in your Library (both cases assume that sharing is enabled on each computer).

When music is shared with you, it appears as a network source on your Source List if more than one source is available, the Shared Music source will appear. When you share your music with others, your music appears as a network source on their Source lists. In either case, the person using the computer can select the shared source and listen to it using the same tools used to listen to other sources, such as CDs and playlists.

Even better, Windows and Macintosh users can share music with each other on networks that include both kinds of computers.

To share music with others on your network, you configure iTunes to share its music, which is covered in the next section. To access shared music, you configure iTunes to look for music being shared with you; that is the topic of the "Listening to Music Being Shared with You" section, later in this chapter.

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Later in this chapter, you'll learn about the amazing AirPort Express wireless hub that you can use to broadcast your music to other devices.