softwaretrenches.com — DMG - Disk Image file is the standard software distribution format on Mac OS X. However, being standard does not mean that all DMGs look the same, in fact it is the opposite! I downloaded popular Mac applications with unique DMG design and posted the screenshots.
Sep 9, 2006 View in Crawl 4
judgefireSep 9, 2006
It's a design challenge, though - I've noticed how recent switchers never seem to realize it's just a regular window, with regular icons they're looking at. And regular disk images have this problem that many users then proceed to launch the app from there, which is ok, but they never actually copy it anywhere. They then keep the disk mounted and the original .dmg file around for future use. Which is a mess.Confusing...t he fully self-extracting apps are the best, IMHO. It's simple enough: <a class="user" href="http://developer.apple.com/documentation/DeveloperTools/Conceptual/SoftwareDistribution/Containers/chapter_3_section_3.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/10000145i-CH4-DontLinkElementID_7">http://developer.apple.com/documentation/DeveloperTools/Conceptual/SoftwareDistribution/Containers/chapter_3_section_3.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/10000145i-CH4-DontLinkElementID_7</a>
darkyoshiSep 10, 2006
I find it rather silly that even one developer would NOT put a shortcut to Applications. I mean, haven't they downloaded an app before? It just doesn't make sense...
darkyoshiSep 10, 2006
looks like commentspam.if you don't like the article, bury it or ignore it. Obviously, lots of people do.
darkyoshiSep 10, 2006
I think that the lack of a Registry makes up for a first-time user's lack of understanding, big time. :)
spacebar14Sep 10, 2006
Re-reading that it makes me sound sarcastic -- but seriously, once you understand that you drag the .app to your Apps folder, it makes life -- so easyyy!
mta3dSep 10, 2006
ISO 9660 is good :-)
smhillSep 10, 2006
It might be a good idea to read the article before commenting.It is not about "how to". It is about usability design and best practices.
inkswampSep 10, 2006
I love the idea of putting an alias of the Applications folder right there in the installer window. The first time I saw that, I just marveled at how simple and brilliant the idea was. Open the disk and drag the application over to the alias to copy/install it. Done. Beautiful. Everything should be that simple.
inversegenSep 10, 2006
thanks for that, I'll remember that for future references (me a new mac user)
waza8501Sep 13, 2006
Mine's not particularly great but does have a live link to the applications folder, <a class="user" href="http://web.mac.com/robwarren/iWeb/My%20iWeb/Home_files/View%20DMG.png">http://web.mac.com/robwarren/iWeb/My%20iWeb/Home_files/View%20DMG.png</a>