Tech/Computer experts: help needed (shared music studio files)
Controller_7
4,052 Posts
So awhile back I posted about winning some money to start a music program at my library. Now we're expanding it so that we'll also have a dedicated physical studio space for people to reserve. I'm going to make a simple studio set up and patrons will be able to reserve two hours of time in the media lab. I wasn't planning on this at first and I've got a few concerns about logistics.
Does anyone know a simple way to protect shared files? I don't want to have to create accounts for each person that uses the room. I am wondering if there's some sort of automated way to password protect files on a shared computer. I just bdon't want someone working on a song and then have another person delete it or mess it up.
Any ideas? Thanks in advance.
Does anyone know a simple way to protect shared files? I don't want to have to create accounts for each person that uses the room. I am wondering if there's some sort of automated way to password protect files on a shared computer. I just bdon't want someone working on a song and then have another person delete it or mess it up.
Any ideas? Thanks in advance.
Comments
Unless you have an ungodly amount of users, it's probably going to be easier to create individual profiles for people.
I can show you how to do it and it's probably going to be easier than creating a bunch of passwords for each file.
1. Insist people save to USB drives if they want to keep there stuff
2. Try this http://www.newsoftwares.net/folderlock/
3. Make people zip there session files and password protect it.
USB might be best as the system could get used and abused, if so then you could wipe it clean easily.
I actually don't care what the hell they make.
Thanks for the helpful input.
I agree with Beatsoup. Don't allow them to save there files to the PC. All the projects and Stems should be saved on a USB flash drive. Think back to the old APPLE II days. When we used to carry those big FLOPPY DISKS around. Password protect the Admin login.. and then create a SCHOOL regular user that everyone else will use sharing the same programs and plugins.
Now you can get a 64 gb usb thumb drive for like 20 bucks. It only makes since, and for the kids not smart enough. Tough cookies.
- spidey
Keep the server somewhere secure (offsite if poss), natch.
Not sure of the Apple tech model, I've never worked with it over here.
my 2c
Agreed. The amount of USB keys I come across is pretty astounding. Everything from 1st year to grad students to PhD professors loose their keys on the regular.
Like someone mentioned above, what OS is being used? Apps? How many users are we talking?
Myself personally. I would probably setup up the system exactly how I would want it with all the apps and settings done. Then make a clone of the drive. Giving you the ability to just wipe the system whenever you feel the need and then being able to drop that clone right back easily and have a fresh system at any time.
If the applications you're using can be used with individual profiles, I would go that route like JectWon suggested. If you have someone that knows what they are doing, it's pretty easy to admin once things are up and running.
It's a great thing you are doing. Good stuff!
Hey Thes do you have personal experience with DAW + SSD issues?? This is the first I've really heard of it - gonna go do some googling now...
I assumed that the idea was to use the local drive for all work, then backup to the USB sticks? That seems to be the easiest way from an administrative perspective. How old are these kids? I mean, real world lesson kids - "Protect your data!" Depending on the setup of the studio, I would imagine people have to sign in/out, and possibly do the same with equipment (mics, cables, etc). People could sign in / out their USB stick as well?
Multiple users seems like a hassle because then someone will have to create a new user for each group that comes in, no?
Is anyone else really fucking stoked to hear some of the music coming out of this setup?? I love when kids are given artistic freedom and tools / space to create!!
So dude one puts down some drums, a few days later dude 2 adds some synth pad, Dude like Duderonomy comes in and puts a donk on it, and so on. I can pop in and scream "ANARCHYYYYY" over it, what's not to like?
End up with a fucking abstract Prodigy mess, 200 writing credits and post sound files or your (sic) soft.
Yeah, I bought an all SSD Mac Mini a few months ago to hold me over until the new MacPro drops. I read up extensively on running sessions off SSD and as a result I have the SSD hosting the OS and Programs and the audio data coming from a traditional 7200 drive. The SSD boots super quick but honestly I have been having weird core audio issues here and there, I dont know what to contribute it to but, yeah. I cant WAIT to get a real computer in here again in the form of a new MacPro. It's starting to bug the shit out of me. Sometimes pro tools takes 10 minutes to load up, other times 10 seconds. System Prefs keeps crashing. I'm pretty sure its drive related. I think the Fusion drive is the way to go.
As far as the topic at hand, if you want to go with USB's what I would do is have 3 drives in effect:
1) The main drive, locked and with all applications running on it
2) An external 7200 usb3 or equivalent drive with the Session on it
3) At the end of each session, copy the folder to USB and wipe the Session drive, so it starts clean every time. When people want to work on a session, copy it from USB back to session drive
I'm actually doing two things. One is the physical studio space that anyone with a library card can reserve and use. The second part, which was my original proposal, is a set up that I bring out for teen programs and work with them to program beats and record songs. It will be a collaborative effort, along the lines of Skel's idea.
If any of you would ever be in the area and want to be a guest artist/lecturer, that would be great. Feel free to come by and put a donk on it. I want to get them to think about all types of music but also give them a chance to learn how all of it works, using a projector to display on a large screen everything that we do. I'm kind of jumping into it all blindly, but I think something cool will come out of it. I'm not expecting hot Cheetos and Takis. I'll just be happy if even one kid comes away wanting to continue with music.
Chicago has a similar thing, youmedia, which Chance the Rapper came up from. And for Batmon, it doesn't have to be rap, as I can already guess that most of these kids would be cringeworthy, but maybe they'll create some wild new shit. Maybe the next Chad Hugo is a tween at my library. Where is Chad? The next whoever.
MAYBE teh rael CHAD HUGO IS IN YOUR LIBRARY RIGHT NOW