got a mac book air. help! newbie question

[Semidevil]

ok, so this is my first experience with an apple os. I got the macbook air with osx.

This is totally different from a windows experience, so I need to understand how this works.

everytime I download something, it creates a .dmg file to put on my desktop. Can I get rid of it or at least move it somewhere else? I downloaded firefox and it created a firefox.dmg file on my desktop.

I downloaded flash, and created a flash.dmg on my desktop, but I am still not able to view flash on sites.

What's the deal?

 

[disports]

Might want to check out the sticky at the top.
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=79291

Also in regards to .dmg files, it's kind of like .exe installer files for windows. For example, the firefox .dmg file, double click on it, drag the firefox icon to the application folder, and it'll install firefox onto your macbook. Same goes for other things you're going to install. After that, you can eject the .dmg file and delete it.

 

[TheStu]

SHAMELESS PLUG! The sticky at the top, yes excellent place to start, if you have any additional questions, post them there or here.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Apparently you need to "eject" a file to get rid of it. Oh, and dragging it onto the recycle bin works too. Except if it's a DVD drive. Then it ejects it. Or something.

 

[TheStu]

Apparently you need to "eject" a file to get rid of it. Oh, and dragging it onto the recycle bin works too. Except if it's a DVD drive. Then it ejects it. Or something.

You aren't ejecting a 'file' you are ejecting a DMG (Disk iMaGe), which is not unlike an ISO, actually it is just like an ISO, just a different encoding. But it also compresses like a ZIP and can support autorun features and whatnoe I believe.

And yes, dragging it to the trash is one method. Another is to select the item in question and hit CMD+E. And if you want to eject a disk, just hold the eject button on the keyboard for a second or two.

 

[speg]

ok, so this is my first experience with an apple os. I got the macbook air with osx.

This is totally different from a windows experience, so I need to understand how this works.

everytime I download something, it creates a .dmg file to put on my desktop. Can I get rid of it or at least move it somewhere else? I downloaded firefox and it created a firefox.dmg file on my desktop.

I downloaded flash, and created a flash.dmg on my desktop, but I am still not able to view flash on sites.

What's the deal?

This is difference in "installing" most newcomers to Mac have trouble wrapping their heads around. Once I did, i thought it was amazing.

On Windows, you run your installer, it puts a bunch of stuff who knows where, installs some malware while it's at it, makes you click a bunch of pointless dialogs, etc...

On Mac, you just drag the app to where you'd like to store it (usually the applications folder).

That's it.

Most apps come inside a disc image, to compress it for downloading. You mount the image (like you'd insert a CD) and then drag the app over. You are then free to eject the image (like you'd eject a CD) and delete the image (throw away the CD).

Occasionally you will get an installer, usually for apps that need deep system integration. These will require you to enter your admin password.

 

[AnyMal]

OP - Apple put up a series of tutorials and videos just for people like you who's switching from Windows. By the way, you've made a wise choice.

 

[Pliablemoose]

I just ordered a Speck clear case for mine.

 

[TheStu]

I just ordered a Speck clear case for mine.

I didn't like the look of the speck, it breaks up the lines and adds a whole of bulk to the system. I went with a simple neoprene zippered sleeve. The zipper is plastic and not metal so it won't scratch the body, and although it was a 10" sleeve, it stretches to hold the Air, which means it is nice and snug. And it was like $20.

 

[Pliablemoose]

I didn't like the look of the speck, it breaks up the lines and adds a whole of bulk to the system. I went with a simple neoprene zippered sleeve. The zipper is plastic and not metal so it won't scratch the body, and although it was a 10" sleeve, it stretches to hold the Air, which means it is nice and snug. And it was like $20.

I'm thinking of installing a skin to help with the potential scratching... Just haven't found one that doesn't make me want to question my sexual preferences yet

 

[TheStu]

I'm thinking of installing a skin to help with the potential scratching... Just haven't found one that doesn't make me want to question my sexual preferences yet

Zagg?

 

[Pliablemoose]

Zagg?

I want this:

 

[Zen0]

I'm thinking of installing a skin to help with the potential scratching... Just haven't found one that doesn't make me want to question my sexual preferences yet

You absolutely do not need it.

The aluminum Macbook Pros/Airs don't scratch. Just carry it in your normal case or sleeve. A skin would destroy the whole point of the design.

This is not mine but this is what I use, a sticker over the logo which makes it light up multi-color, Apple classic:

 

[Spicedaddy]

This is difference in "installing" most newcomers to Mac have trouble wrapping their heads around. Once I did, i thought it was amazing.

On Windows, you run your installer, it puts a bunch of stuff who knows where, installs some malware while it's at it, makes you click a bunch of pointless dialogs, etc...

On Mac, you just drag the app to where you'd like to store it (usually the applications folder).

That's it.

Most apps come inside a disc image, to compress it for downloading. You mount the image (like you'd insert a CD) and then drag the app over. You are then free to eject the image (like you'd eject a CD) and delete the image (throw away the CD).

Occasionally you will get an installer, usually for apps that need deep system integration. These will require you to enter your admin password.

Installing is nice and easy, it's the uninstall part that sucks. Most apps don't have uninstallers and leave a bunch of crap behind when you remove them. Windows might put stuff all over the place, but at least when you uninstall something you regain all the space, not the case in OSX.

 

[TheStu]

Installing is nice and easy, it's the uninstall part that sucks. Most apps don't have uninstallers and leave a bunch of crap behind when you remove them. Windows might put stuff all over the place, but at least when you uninstall something you regain all the space, not the case in OSX.

To be fair, in this case the crap is usually just a preference file. However, you can use AppCleaner to fully uninstall things from your system.