Hi all.
I have a tip for iTunes that you may find useful.
I now have multiple iTunes libraries, for my main 2 channel hi fi I have a library recorded in Apple lossless codec and I use that library for my main iPod classic and another for my phone.
As Nokia have released the mac software to sync your phone with the itunes library I thought I would have a play.
I am using a mac so when you hold down the option key and start iTunes it will ask if you wish to create or choose a library to use. Shift key works with windows.
The second library I created to use with my N95, the lossless tracks have been converted to 256 bit VBR AAC. I do not have all my music in the N95 library, my classical for example is left in the main library as I only have a 16GB card in the N95 the lossless library runs over 100Gb. So I have 10Gb or so of music in the other library.
In the iTunes preferences there is an advanced section and a checkbox that says copy files to itunes music folder when adding music. If you do not want to create duplicate tracks in each library you should uncheck the box.
Just be careful with your hard drive space when duplicating music.
You can add your chosen music by dragging a folder of music onto the open iTunes window.
iTunes preferences lets you set the import preferences. If you have higher bitrate music you wish to down convert highlight the track you wish to convert and go to the itunes advanced menu then select "Create AAC version".
It will create a duplicate and leave the original alone so if you copied higher bitrate music to the new folder you will have two copies. If yo told it to not duplicate the tracks after the downconversion is performed you can delete the original higher sampled tracks as they will still be highlighted leaving the lower sampled tracks by themselves.
Once you have multiple libraries it will always open the most recently opened version then you need to again hold the option or shift key on startup to change.
The multiple library folder tip also works with iPhoto for you mac users.
Edited to add the Windows shift key info