Stuff Dartmouth People Like #7: iTunes Home Sharing

iTunes Home Sharing allows you into other iTunes libraries in your network. Since for the most part we're all on the same network, we get a whole lot of libraries. With Home Sharing, you can listen to all of the music someone else has accumulated through the years. You and your friends can pregame to classic hits like "Aaron's Party," or "Mambo No. 5," without feeling embarrassed, cause "it's not [your] iTunes anyways."  It's a free pass.

But an iTunes Library is an interesting thing. Access to one is no less than a window into the soul. Home Sharing provides that portal. Next time you open iTunes, don't ignore those names on the left side of your screen. Pick one. Maybe you it's a cute girl from your 10A. Maybe it's an older Psi U you've always had your eye on. Maybe it's just some kid you met during orientation and then never saw again. It doesn't matter, just click one.



Now judge the hell out of them.

They have every one of Mozart's symphonies? Pretentious douchebag.

They have all of the live Dave Matthews Band albums? Sweet bro.

Oh, they have a ton of Arcade Fire? But only the early stuff of course, not after they sold out and won a Grammy. Arrogant indie prick.

See? It's easy, and it tells you so much about them without even having to Facebook stalk.

But there's more. Check out their Top 25 Most Played.

Maybe you guys share the same top song; how romantic. If not, her favorite song will become your favorite song the next time you're stuck in an awkward conversation in line at Novack.

Finally, go back to the library and search the person's name.

What hopefully comes up is an original recording. It could be from that time he sung into Garageband "just to see what it sounded like," or when she wanted to start an audio diary after her 8th grade friends were "total bitches." No matter what appears, it'll shed new light on that kid who always seems to have something to say in Psych 1, and will probably make you feel better next time he raises his hand.

Home Sharing is the new Facebook stalking. Except you can't untag songs.

-Teddy Barnaby '14