// July 1st, 2009 // 4 Comments » // Apple, iTunes
So you want to share your iTunes library over the Internet. Many will say it can’t be done, and to those people I say, eat monkey balls!! Not only can you do it, not only is it super easy, it’s also FREE!! How you ask? I will tell you. All you need is this handy little program called PulpTunes. What PulpTunes does is install as a web service with a slick interface and let you access your library through your computer’s IP address.
What are some of the other features of PulpTunes?
- Works on PC, MAC and Linux
- Allows your to download the music files
- Supports MP3 and AAC(MP4) files
- Displays album art work
- Command line mode for a server environment
- FREE!!
Now lets walk through the basic set up, and then a more advanced set up in case you are on a dynamic IP.
The basic set up
What you’ll need:
- Latest version of PulpTunes
- Computer with iTunes installed
- Knowledge of how to open ports in your router
What you need to do:
- Download PulpTunes and install it…easy
- Log into your router and forward/open port 15000, depending on what model you have it’ll be different. PulpTunes will provide you with a link to a website where you can get detailed instructions for nearly every model out there.
- Open your web browser and navigate to http://your-ip-address:150000 Once again, PulpTunes will tell you what your IP address is.
- If you can’t access your library this way then you did something wrong, time to hit the PulpTunes forum, FAQ or leave a comment below and I’ll try to help you. If you can see your library, then you’re pretty much set. Blast the speakers and Enjoy!!
Dealing with those pesky Dynamic IP Addresses
Once you have PulpTunes set up and you’re happily jamming you’re pretty much set, that is, until your IP changes. This can happen at various times depending on your ISP and your locations. Sometimes it also happens if you turn off your computer, or unplug your router for a long time. In any case, it sucks, and can make you look bad if you’re trying to show off to your friends.
The solution: Use a service like www.dyndns.com/ which lets you assign a domain name to a dynamic IP address. Then when your IP address changes, dymdns.com will automagically update the domain to reflect the new IP address. The only drawback is that your domain will look something like itunes.dyndns.biz, where “itunes” is what I typed in myself, but that is still better than an IP address with a port number at the end.
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