I'm assuming you are using Safari as your browser. Here's what I do:
-Go to the Safari menu (next to the Apple). Choose Preferences.
-Click on the General tab.
-Note the popup menu next to the "Save downloaded files as". If you choose "Other..." you can navigate to a folder somewhere on your hard drive. What I did was to go to my Documents folder, and created a new folder called, "Downloads", and chose that as the place where any file I download via Safari will end up.
The next time you download something, you'll see the disk image mount itself on your desktop. When you've installed, you can eject that disk image. The actual file behind the disk image will be in your Documents/Downloads (or wherever you chose to put it) folder.
Periodically, you can go into that folder and delete things you downloaded but no longer want, or if you get newer versions, etc. You can also do that on your Desktop, which is sounding like it is getting kind of cluttered.
Ok, I did EXACTLY what you said. Now, the .dmg file downloaded to the "downloads" folder on my mac, but the application still appears on my desktop the same way (as if it were an external drive).
I also did what Elusis suggested, and copied it to my downloads folder, and then ejected the one that is on my desktop. However, when I go to click on the app. in the downloads folder to open it, the app. re-appears on my desktop the same way (as a white external drive).
Am I doing something wrong or missing something here? I don't think so, I did exactly what you said,
Can you guys figure this conundrum out? LOL This is seriously bugging me, as I HATE a cluttered desktop. Plus, I want to learn the proper way to handle this.
elusis basically has the answer. the .dmg file is a disk image that 'mounts' itself if you double click it. if you double click the little drive icon that appears on your desktop, it should open a window with either the application and maybe supporting documentation in it--drag the application (and the documentation, if it is there and you want it) to your applications folder. it will take a moment to copy itself over there. or, when you double click the drive image, you might see something in the resulting window that says "install x" or "x installer" where "x" is the application. double click on that and follow the instructions to install your application.
when all of the above, whichever is needed, is finished, you can drag the drive icon to the trash, or highlight it and press apple-e, or click on the little eject icon to the right of its icon and name in the left pane of any finder window. it should disappear.
Thank you all!!!roxz214March 18 2007, 11:18:08 UTC
Thank you to elusis , eriktrips and jrjarret for all you helpful (and fast!) responses! I have finally figured it out and have eliminated the disk image from my desktop, and now, only have the app. on my computer!
Comments 7
-Go to the Safari menu (next to the Apple). Choose Preferences.
-Click on the General tab.
-Note the popup menu next to the "Save downloaded files as". If you choose "Other..." you can navigate to a folder somewhere on your hard drive. What I did was to go to my Documents folder, and created a new folder called, "Downloads", and chose that as the place where any file I download via Safari will end up.
The next time you download something, you'll see the disk image mount itself on your desktop. When you've installed, you can eject that disk image. The actual file behind the disk image will be in your Documents/Downloads (or wherever you chose to put it) folder.
Periodically, you can go into that folder and delete things you downloaded but no longer want, or if you get newer versions, etc. You can also do that on your Desktop, which is sounding like it is getting kind of cluttered.
HTH
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I also did what Elusis suggested, and copied it to my downloads folder, and then ejected the one that is on my desktop. However, when I go to click on the app. in the downloads folder to open it, the app. re-appears on my desktop the same way (as a white external drive).
Am I doing something wrong or missing something here? I don't think so, I did exactly what you said,
Can you guys figure this conundrum out? LOL
This is seriously bugging me, as I HATE a cluttered desktop. Plus, I want to learn the proper way to handle this.
Thank you for any help you can offer : )
- carrie
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when all of the above, whichever is needed, is finished, you can drag the drive icon to the trash, or highlight it and press apple-e, or click on the little eject icon to the right of its icon and name in the left pane of any finder window. it should disappear.
hope that helps!
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Open it, copy the application into your Applications folder, and then eject it by dragging it to the trash. Simplicity! :)
(And welcome to the Dark Side!)
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Thank you thank you thank you!!
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the disk icons were driving me nuts : )
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I too cannot stand desktop clutter. ty ty all
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