Hi Mark, Jenny, Dean, and Others, You have a few options to search for duplicate tracks in iTunes. One is to use the "Show Duplicates" option under the File menu of iTunes' menu bar after selecting a library in the sources outline. This lists entries with the same song name, so versions of the same song on different albums or recorded by different artists will be picked out and listed as duplicates. To change the list in the songs table from duplicates only back to all songs you will need to VO-Right arrow or VO-Down arrow from the songs table to the "Show All" button and press it (VO-Space).
A better solution is to use either the standalone package called "Dupin" ($15 to register) or the "Corral iTunes Dupes" AppleScript -- both from Doug's AppleScripts for iTunes site. These allow you to flag duplicate tracks according to multiple criteria such as Artist, Album, and Song. The Dupin package can be run independently from iTunes since it works with the database file. Here's the description of the "Corral iTunes Dupes" AppleScript: This script will check your iTunes library for all instances of tracks which have the same user-selected criteria (name, album, artist, size, and so on) then assemble the duplicate tracks into a discrete "Dupes" playlist. Once corralled, you can decide which can stay or go. The URL is: http://dougscripts.com/itunes/scripts/ss.php?sp=corralitunesdupes There's a description of how to use the application in the PDF file that also tells you how AppleScripts work. The file will download as a zipped diskimage (.dmg extension). Double-click to unpack the file and then to mount the diskimage. Copy the "Corral iTunes Dupes" selected application to the Library/iTunes/Scripts folder under your account. You may have to create the Scripts folder if this is the first time you are using AppleScripts in iTunes. There's also a rtfd description file (same content as the PDF) that you can copy, as well, before ejecting the diskimage with Command-E from the Finder sidebar. AppleScripts run like regular menu options from an extra script menu on the application's menu bar. Select the library you want to check for dupes, then choose the "Corral iTunes Dupes" from the menu bar (VO- M; Left-Arrow twice to silent spot to the left of the "Help" menu, and arrow down to AppleScript menu). You'll want to select multiple entries in the dialog window to select dupe criteria (e.g., hold down the Shift key and select Name, Album, and Artist or other options that you can choose with non-contiguous selection). Read the documentation for suggestions on use and also information if you want to modify the script. One tip: if you select one of the identified tracks and use the "Show in Finder" (Command-R) shortcut, you'll find that exact duplicates imported more than once will be named with an extension number like <some_track.mp3> and <some_track1.mp3>. The Dupin application offers even more automated options for handling results of the initial search. You can try it out. The unregistered version will show a maximum of 20 duplicates when it is run. Dupin is available from: http://dougscripts.com/itunes/itinfo/dupin.php HTH Cheers, Esther On Jul 28, 2009, at 06:06, Mark Baxter wrote: > > Thanks, Jenny. This is what I was afraid of. One must be careful > with this procedure. :) > > > Mark BurningHawk > > Skype and Twitter: BurningHawk1969 > MSN: burninghawk1...@hotmail.com > My home page: > http://MarkBurningHawk.net/ > > > > --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MacVisionaries" group. To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
