iCommune for iTunes Shares Over Network

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iCommune for iTunes Shares Over Network

Posted by pudge on Friday January 10, 2003 @04:07AM from the sweeeeet dept.

James G. Speth writes "I just released a free public beta of iCommune, a plug-in for iTunes that enables music sharing over the network. Your friends' music libraries appear in the iTunes source list. You can browse their collections, and choose to download or stream their music. It also allows you to make your own music library available to others." It's a bit buggy, but it is a beta. It shows a lot of promise. It also comes with an indexer (in Python, though I might write my own in Perl :-) so you can share MP3s to iTunes clients outside of iTunes on the server end (such as from a Linux box, in theory).

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fp on safari! by Anonymous Coward · 2003-01-10 04:10 · Score: 0, Funny

does that means its as fats as Apple says?
1. Re:fp on safari! by Anonymous Coward · 2003-01-10 08:33 · Score: 0
  
  come on, not every first post is a troll. That's funny, and it's even on topic. Sorta.
Watch out for RIAA by the+Dragonweaver · 2003-01-10 04:14 · Score: 4, Insightful

It would be very smart to put a disclaimer with your beta saying that you do not endorse the sharing of copyrighted files without the permission of the copyright holder. It is best to be paranoid about such things because then you can distance yourself from the inevitable lawsuit.

From my personal POV, however, this is a great thing. File-sharing has introduced me to many artists that I would otherwise never have heard of, let alone bought. Some of my favorite artists are, in fact, ones I first heard in MP3 format. If only RIAA would see what a boon such prgrams are, rather than suing the creators of such programs...

--
Actually I am a lab rat in an elaborate plot to take over the world.
1. Re:Watch out for RIAA by iMMersE · 2003-01-10 04:20 · Score: 1
  
  Good point - Perhaps he could make out it's just for home network sharing, although by saying he doesn't want to go the rendezvous route with auto-discovery because he wants the ability to share over a wider network, he might be landing him in (potential) trouble.
  
  --
  codegolf.com - smaller *is* better.
2. Re:Watch out for RIAA by mgs1000 · 2003-01-10 04:58 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  Or maybe he can just say he doesnt use Rendezvous because he didnt buy Jaguar(OSX 10.2).
3. Re:Watch out for RIAA by mbbac · 2003-01-10 09:43 · Score: 1
  
  Repeat after me: DRM isn't about copyright infringement, it's about control.
  
  --
  mbbac
X=? by g(zerofunk.org) · 2003-01-10 04:16 · Score: 0

Where X is the number of days it takes the RIAA to lay the smack down on the P2P system that is costing it a billion dollars a minute in lost money.
g
1. Re:X=? by Alan+Partridge · 2003-01-10 05:23 · Score: 3
  
  I thought we'd long accepted the idea that p2p doesn't cost the music business a dime, and that sales actually increased noticeably during Napster's heyday. My music buying certainly soared while Napster was big - I was getting access to so many different records that I'd only ever heard ABOUT before - it was wonderful.
  
  --
  That was classic intercourse!
2. Re:X=? by NaugaHunter · 2003-01-10 08:00 · Score: 2, Interesting
  
  Somewhat related to the 'billion dollars a minute', where does this stand against Clear Channel's new Public Scare Announcement? Essentially it goes on in this manner: "Think about how many mp3's are on your computer. Now multiply that by, let's say, $1 each. Now multiply that by a thousand. That's how much you can be fined..." It makes absolutely no distinction about whether or not you are allowed to have them - if you've ripped them on your own, if they were installed by software, or even if they came on the computer when you bought it. If only I could get other stations in this office.
  
  What do you mean Clear Channel owns them all? Well, that's a seperate rant.
  
  --
  R: That voice. Where have I heard that voice before? B: In about 365 other episodes. But I don't know who it is either.
hmm.... by kanna · 2003-01-10 04:22 · Score: 1, Offtopic

Smells like well-cooked Mac-Napster. The RIAA will ask to get a court permission to hack all Mac users and look for 'illegal MP3s'... especially people with 8 CDRs (8x CDRs are equivalent to 8 burners according to RIAA) in their computers. Will this be **THE** FUCK-YOU-RIAA application?
1. Re:hmm.... by Znonymous+Coward · 2003-01-10 09:25 · Score: 2
  
  The RIAA will ask to get a court permission to hack all Mac users
  Hack??? Mac??? This isn't Windoze you know. Mac OS X is a secure operating system.
  
  --
  Karma: The shiznight, mostly because I am the Drizzle.
Didn't Stebe Demo this? by pauljlucas · 2003-01-10 05:11 · Score: 5, Interesting

At the previous MacWorld (not Jan '03), I remember Steve giving a demo where one of his VPs came on stage with a PowerBook and that PowerBook's iTunes library appeared on Steve's desktop Mac. The VP closed the lid on the PowerBook and the library disappeared. All by Rendezvous. And yet I've not seen or heard anything about that feature since. The current iTunes doesn't do that.
Anybody else remember that demo? Anybody know what happened to that feature?

--
If you reply, do so only to what I explicitly wrote. If I didn't write it, don't assume or infer it.
1. Re:Didn't Stebe Demo this? by 1+(smarterThanYou) · 2003-01-10 05:20 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  The Rendezvous-enabled version of iTunes isn't out yet. Steve enjoys flaunting unfinished software that people drool over...like he's been doing with recently released Keynote, the presentation software he's been using at these conferences for almost a year now. I've only heard speculation as to the release of this new rendezvous enabled iTunes which people seem to think will be sometime before summer.
2. Re:Didn't Stebe Demo this? by tassii · 2003-01-10 07:07 · Score: 1
  I bet this will be released with the iPod 2 which I seem to remember someone talking about here. Picture this scenario:
  
  iPod with AirPort & Rendezvous
  
  Mac with Airport & Rendezvous
  
  iTunes on Mac with Rendezvous
  
  Result?
  
  You would be able to play your Mac-based playlists on your iPod from anywhere your Airport reached. Mix this with the TiVo announcement and change the iPod to a vPod (video-iPod) and you'll be able to watch your tv from anywhere Airport reaches on your iPod. THAT would be cool.
  --
  "I drank what?" - Socrates
3. Re:Didn't Stebe Demo this? by Have+Blue · 2003-01-10 09:21 · Score: 2
  
  Steve demoed an internal Apple version of iTunes that has this built-in. However, Apple's version will not copy, it can only stream.
4. Re:Didn't Stebe Demo this? by wickline · 2003-01-11 03:28 · Score: 1
  
  (re: Rendezvous-enabled version of iTunes)
  
  yes.
  
  he said it would be available in "early 2003" which may mean Jan, or Q1, or before July, or before Dec or before 2004. "early" is a relative term.
  
  -matt
Yes... by Lord+Satri · 2003-01-10 05:21 · Score: 0, Flamebait

Yes, Apple is suppose to allow iTunes sharing using the Rendez-vous technology eventually.

Then iCommune will soon be obsolete ! (and this topic should not have appeared on /.)

--
Animoog.org
1. Re:Yes... by Anonymous Coward · 2003-01-11 05:07 · Score: 0
  
  Um, iTunes with Rendezvous will not do sharing outside of the local network. Oops on you!
Rendezvous developer question by nsayer · 2003-01-10 05:27 · Score: 2

Wow. Rendezvous sounds like a really convenient way to do this sort of thing. I've recently delved into the universe of Java-Cocoa. Does anyone know if Rendezvous is conveniently available to a Java-Cocoa app?
1. Re:Rendezvous developer question by tobes · 2003-01-10 08:03 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  Not yet, right now you can only use Apple's implementation with Obj-C Cocoa. The spec is open though, so it would be nice to see someone make a pure Java version.
2. Re:Rendezvous developer question by Anonymous Coward · 2003-01-10 09:16 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  Over at O'Reilly's there's a 2 part article about incorporating Rendezvous in Cocoa apps:
  Incorporating Rendezvous into Your Cocoa Applications, Part 1
So where is the source? by cioxx · 2003-01-10 05:30 · Score: 1, Flamebait

Why is this project (in beta I might add) was approved to be posted on slashdot is beyond me. Sure, it's a fairly good tool for what it's worth, but essentially it's in a binary form, so no dice.

If you look around, /. is very Open Source centric. There are billions of applications out there which rank really high in my book, but usually don't slip through the filters because of their nature. In this case - closed source.

Imagine if every basement coder submitted their beta "vision" projects to slashdot, this would be nothing short of sourceforge without the benefit of source.

To blockquoth the Readme in the .sit package:

"This documentation and the software described in it are copyrighted © 2002 by The Coronado Institute, Inc. with all rights reserved worldwide. It may be freely distributed and copied as long as the resource files and documentation remain unchanged from their distributed form. You are encouraged to make copies and give them to anyone you like, again so long as they remain unchanged. Neither the package nor any of its components may be sold or bundled with any software that is sold, including shareware, without written permission."

I don't see anything about GNU/GPL. So there you have it. But good job... I guess.
1. Re:So where is the source? by CaptCosmic · 2003-01-10 05:41 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  But why does everything on Slashdot have to GNU/GPL/Open Source? If it were, there would be nothing about Apple, nothing about Microsoft, and nothing about any other commercial software. In that case, I would have even less reason to read Slashdot.
  
  Slashdot is supposed to be about "News For Nerds". I find this article to be intriguing. Am I going to download the software? Probably not. But that doesn't mean I don't want to know about it.
  
  --
  -> Capt Cosmic <-
2. Re:So where is the source? by Anonymous Coward · 2003-01-11 05:09 · Score: 0
  
  You are complaining about software running on a proprietary OS being proprietary? Please to be pulling your head out.
3. Re:So where is the source? by hlovy · 2003-01-11 09:30 · Score: 1
  
  You want open source, check out GLOOLABS. Its HomePod application for iTunes and other MP3 files is just the beginning. GLOO is challenging developers to come up with their own digital convergence applications.
4. Re:So where is the source? by hlovy · 2003-01-11 09:33 · Score: 1
  
  Sorry for the typo. Here's GLOOLABS!
Re:Didn't Steve Demo this? by Anonymous Coward · 2003-01-10 06:00 · Score: 0

i have a feeling that Apple has it all working they're just moving slowly to keep the RIAA at bay. same reason the ACC (or is it AAC) format is not available directly from iTunes yet...
iCommune == (Return of Napster - The Name)??? by tuxracer · 2003-01-10 08:59 · Score: 1

That description sounds strikingly similar to the way Napster used to work. hmmmm... Let's see how long Apple will last ;)
Why? by thatguywhoiam · 2003-01-10 09:21 · Score: 3, Insightful

iPod with AirPort & Rendezvous
Why is everyone so obsessed with adding wireless capabilities to the iPod? Not a flame, really, I'm just trying to understand, what am I missing...
I want my MP3s on my stereo - i walk downstairs with the very small, very light iPod and plug it in. If I had a car, I'd get one of those iTrip things. Wireless just seems wasted when you can just walk anywhere with it, you know?
Again, unless I'm missing something...?

--
If Jesus wants me it knows where to find me.
1. Re:Why? by FatRatBastard · 2003-01-10 09:51 · Score: 2, Interesting
  
  Why is everyone so obsessed with adding wireless capabilities to the iPod? Not a flame, really, I'm just trying to understand, what am I missing...
  
  Why I would like this is if I had a stereo reciever that could, via bluetooth or 802.11 read my iPod. Thus, no wires I can listen to my music whereever. If I'm at the computer I can pump it through iTunes, if I'm in the living room I can pump it thru the stereo. Yes, I can do this with wires currently, but it would be nice if I could do it wirelessly. Not a must have, but I'd plunk down cash very quickly if something like this was offered.
2. Re:Why? by tassii · 2003-01-10 11:10 · Score: 1
  
  I want my MP3s on my stereo - i walk downstairs with the very small, very light iPod and plug it in. If I had a car, I'd get one of those iTrip things. Wireless just seems wasted when you can just walk anywhere with it, you know? Again, unless I'm missing something...
  
  The iPod has a max size of 20Gb (if you get the large one). Most HDs run 40Gb+. More music for the same price.. Or, if you have an external firewire drive.. 120GB+ of mp3s. Never have to transfer music again.
  
  --
  "I drank what?" - Socrates
heh. by valmont · 2003-01-10 10:07 · Score: 1

and this proggie is different from Gnutella ... how? heh. "Please don't steal music ... unless you do it thru iTunes".

--
Extraordinary Vacations. Exceptional Prices
iCommune is not rendezous enabled it looks like by terevos · 2003-01-10 10:13 · Score: 2, Informative

Besides the fact that I followed all the instructions for iCommune and it doesn't seem to work. This product doesn't seem to be Rendezous enabled.. doesn't seem that useful. Apple will come out with something much better soon I'm sure.
1. Re:iCommune is not rendezous enabled it looks like by extra88 · 2003-01-10 11:26 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  Yeah, the Rendezvous thing Steve demoed last summer was great but unless your friends are also your roommates (or you live in a dorm with them), Rendezvous isn't going to do anything for you, it's only going to find servers on the same LAN as you. iCommune lets you access iTunes libraries anywhere on the Internet.
  
  I'm curious to know what protocol this plug-in is using. HTTP? AppleShare? This also makes me wonder about the security implications.
  
  As for the RIAA, as long as iCommune works in such a way that the people at the other end really are "friends" and not "some anonymous asshole," it can probably avoid the fate of Napster et al. It would also help its case if it dropped the download feature and only streamed. I don't think downloading and keeping copyrighted files from a friend's library is legal or ethical but streaming them would be.
2. Re:iCommune is not rendezous enabled it looks like by Anonymous Coward · 2003-01-10 13:47 · Score: 0
  
  iCommune is not enabled at all. It shows that it is install, it acts like it's doing something. But I'm getting a whole lot of 'nuttin' with it. Beta software should work somewhat.
3. Re:iCommune is not rendezous enabled it looks like by Anonymous Coward · 2003-01-10 23:04 · Score: 0
  
  iCommune uses apache (personal web sharing) and uses the HTTP protocol. Is your personal web sharing active?
  
  If you enter the URL of the service in your webbrowser (http://[serveraddress]/[userfolder]/Music), do you see a file listing? If you do, it should work. If you get an access denied message you should check the privileges of the Music folder (if you dare :)).
4. Re:iCommune is not rendezous enabled it looks like by ffrank · 2003-01-11 09:51 · Score: 1
  
  If you get an access denied message you should check the privileges of the Music folder
  
  And set them to what?
5. Re:iCommune is not rendezous enabled it looks like by Anonymous Coward · 2003-01-12 09:21 · Score: 0
  
  Others should be set to read... It worked for me. Other users on your system should also have access to your music folder now, so be careful
Try Edna instead? by djupedal · 2003-01-10 12:42 · Score: 4, Informative

"Edna allows you to access your MP3 collection from any networked computer. This software streams your MP3s via HTTP to any MP3 player that supports playing off a remote connection (e.g. Winamp, FreeAmp, Sonique, XMMS)."

A Python stand alone that will index music files and serve up dynamic pages...keeps stats too. Very nice :)
1. Re:Try Edna instead? by schwatoo · 2003-01-10 18:14 · Score: 1
  
  That's cool - but this thing is an iTunes plug-in and has its GUI embedded inside iTunes - very slick.
  
  --
  I have trouble with passwords among other things.
Beta? or Alpha? by Anonymous Coward · 2003-01-10 13:50 · Score: 0

This is a pretty poor Beta, I've tried it on 4 macs and none have worked. Seems hella lame. Has anybody gotten to work at all?
1. Re:Beta? or Alpha? by Anonymous Coward · 2003-01-11 05:13 · Score: 0
  
  It works very well for me. I think I had to do something to get it to work, but now I don't remember what. If you know anything about Mac OS X, Apache, and DAV, you can figure it out easily enough, and I am sure it'll improve over time.
now how about... by burns210 · 2003-01-10 13:56 · Score: 2, Interesting

a plugin for quicktime? Sharing movies would be a perfect extention of this software plugin.
I'd need more mac friends... by otis+wildflower · 2003-01-16 13:16 · Score: 1

... and I'd want, obviously, SSL encryption and some form of authentication since I don't want anyone else l33ching me. If I did, I'd just use Acquisition.

Also, I assume it's open source? Elsewise it's useless imho..
1. Re:I'd need more mac friends... by Anonymous Coward · 2003-01-16 16:10 · Score: 0
  
  Just like you.
  
  I hope you are also using open source hardware, OS, and device drivers, or your computer is worthless.