Hi Nancy,
DMG files are a fairly standard way of distributing application
bundles on the Mac. The extension initials stand for "disk image
files", and they behave the like volumes (disks, USB memory keys,
etc.) that are mounted on your device. This method of distribution
(as .dmg files) lets them access certain system permissions so you
don't have to worry about knowing this. Most of the apps you install
this way don't actually need to run an installer, so all you have to
do is move or copy the application from the mounted disk image and put
or paste it into the folder you want to store it in -- which is
usually the Applications folder that you navigate to in Finder with
the shortcut of Command-Shift-A. Occasionally, you might want to put
an app into the Utilities folder, which you navigate to with Command-
Shift-U. The only time that you need to run an "install" or
"uninstall" on applications is when these applications can't run as
stand-alone programs, but need special access to other programs that
are installed on your Mac. For example, in order to play proprietary
format streaming Windows Media Player files in your Safari browser,
the Flip4Mac program needs to get special privileges to interact and
control Safari, so it requires an installer. Any uninstallers you
need for installed programs will come as menu options in the installed
programs.
However, getting back to most applications which do not need
installers, once you move the application from the .dmg file to your
Applications folder or other location, you do not need the .dmg file
any more, and you can eject it. However, because this works like a
mounted disk drive, you cannot eject the file if you are actively
working in it -- just as you cannot eject an attached USB memory key
if you are using Finder to browse through its contents, because "the
drive is in use". If you've finished with the .dmg image and copied
the application to another location, close the dialog window from
which you read the instructions or copied the application. Then go to
Finder and eject the disk image. Usually you will be able to find it
listed in the Finder sidebar. Just stop interacting with the current
window and navigate to the sidebar, interact and find the disk image
listed under your "Devices" and when you're on the disk image use
Command-E to eject it. You can now delete the disk image from your
downloads directory.
Many people get confused about the need to open the disk image to run
a program. Yes, you can run a version of a program from there. But
it's like running a program from a CD or another mounted hard drive --
you don't need to do it once you've copied the application to your
Applications folder; you can just run your own copy of the
application. Also, you can put these applications anywhere, and
sometimes they're distributed as .zip files and unzip automatically in
your Downloads folder. You can run the applications from that
location, but it's tidier to put them all in one place for
organization purposes.
HTH. Cheers,
Esther
On Sep 6, 2010, at 15:01, Nancy Badger wrote:
I was listening to one of Mike's podcasts on blindcooltech. He said
that once you have installed an a program like flash for example,
than you hit command E when you are on the dmg file and it will say
"eject". After that, it will basicly disappear. Mine is not doing
that. When I hit command e on the DMG file, it just sits there.
Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong?
Thanks
Nancy
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