What are DMGs

[gtsmith]

Hey all, first post. I am coming over from the Winblows camp and have installed macos 10.4.8 successfully. I have a question about dmg files. I understand that they are disk images and all that, and that they must be mounted to run. What I don't understand is why this approach was taken. For instance, I downloaded what I thought was an install file and it's a DMG that I have to mount every time I want to run the program. Is this correct? Is there a way to auto mount DMGs so that I dont have to do it each time I boot? Also, can I store them anywhere or should they only exist on the desktop? Sorry for the newb question, but that is what I am after all.

 

Cheers,

GT

[idividebyzero]

To install a program you just drag the .app file in the dmg to the applications folder, theres no need to keep the DMG around or have to mount it. Most OS X applications are entirely self contained and dont need to be installed using an installer (to uninstall you just move the .app file to the trash). The downside to this is that a lot of the big programs that use installers (like iLife) dont come with uninstallers, so you have to manually find all the damn files it spread throughout your hdd to completely get rid of the program.

[macgirl]

DMGs are image of disks or folders. You can made DMG of CDs, DVDs, HDs or Folders with Disk Utility.

 

As idividebyzero says some apps need an installer because sometimes they need other files like libraries or system files like extensions or startup items.

[gtsmith]

Thanks for the quick reply. I did do some searching but nothing I found was as succinct as your explanations. Thanks again.