The iTunesManager is a G4 Cube that's on 24/7 in the bedroom. It's got a 120gb drive which is full at this point (the impetus for embarking on this grand adventure). I also use a Keyspan remote (pre-iTunes version) to control playback streamed to the BedroomStereo from the bed.

The Cube participates in my "digital lifestyle" (nod to Gnomedex) by providing the following:

• Sharing it's library to my other iTunes clients (laptop/desktop in the office)
• Streaming to the two AirportExpress? devices attached to the BedroomStereo and HomeTheater.
• Hosts my iPod.
• Hosts my digital camera dock (Casio Exelim)
• Runs iPodderX to grab my favorite podcasts and add them to my music library.

Unfortunatly, it would appear that the poor G4/400 is underpowered to manage my iTunes collection now that all 27000 files are in the same place. Looks like another excuse to get a Mini or G5. I'm holding off until after Tiger's released either way.

I've noticed the hard drive has been making loud ticking noises every so often lately, I'm guessing it's on the way out. I do back up frequently, but it would be nice to not have to worry about having to recover the music collection and everything else when the drive does finally die. TO DO When the MediaServer is settled in, set up an rsync script to back up the Cube to the server.

-- ChrisWeiss - 11 Feb 2005