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General discussion

Problem downloading and finding files???

Apr 14, 2007 2:12AM PDT

I'am new to MAC but so far I love it. I have the new Mac OS X and everytime I try to down load a game or anything I have to open it to a application but I have no idea how. Can you please help!!!!

Discussion is locked

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Downloading files
Apr 14, 2007 2:55AM PDT

The easiest way I have found to keep track of files I have downloaded is to create a folder on the desktop and call it something like, Downloaded Files.
Launch Safari and go to the Preferences. In the first tab, General, next to the words "Save downloaded files to" you will see a drop down menu. It probably says Desktop. Click on the dropdown menu and choose "other". In the left hand pane of the window that appears, you will see Desktop. Click it and in the right hand window, select the Downloaded Files folder. Click Select and then OK enough times to get back to the regular preferences window. Close preferences. Every file that you download, using Safari, will automatically go to that folder.
Once downloaded, go to that folder, find the file and double click it. It should either launch or be extracted from the compressed file.
If you do not have Stuffit Expander, Google for it and download the FREE version of Expander. You do not need the paid version.

This is basically the same as the Windows platform. You download a compressed file, decompress it and run the installer/program.

If you need any more help, holler

P

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Downloading and Organizing Applications
Jun 26, 2007 3:01PM PDT

Does Mac OS have a central location where downloaded software such as internet browsers and widgets be stored after I save them to the Download folder I created on the Desktop?

Is there the equivalent Mac organization such as Window's C:Program Files?

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Downloaded files
Jun 26, 2007 10:42PM PDT

The files that you downloaded from the internet are, as you say, stored in that Download folder that you created on the desktop.
If the files that you downloaded are actually programs/applications, then all you downloaded was the installer. Double clicking the installer, which usually has a suffix of .dmg, brings up a Disk Image icon which is mounted on the desktop. Open that and follow the instructions inside. A lot of Mac programs do not have an install program as such, you just drag the application out of the Disk Image and into the Applications folder.
One those programs/applications that do have installers, the default install location is the Applications folder on the HD.
Once installed, the downloaded file can be deleted.
This procedure was documented in a post by frieghterman_1999

The above applies to all Programs/Applications, including Web Browsers. Once downloaded into that folder, the application has to be installed.

When you download a Widget, it is automatically installed into the correct location. (Not the applications folder)

The default location for Programs/Applications is in the Applications folder of the hard drive.

Hope this helps

P

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In addition...
Jun 27, 2007 12:30AM PDT

Some programs will supply an UNINSTALLER[/] for if/when you should decide to get rid of software you installed. However many other programs do not require an UNINSTALLER[/]. In most, if not all cases... you can just drag the program file or folder out of the applications folder and into the trash. Empty the trash and the program is gone! Happy

Widgets are a bit more unwieldy to manage. From what I gather (correct me anyone if I'm wrong) A widget on your desktop can be using resources but a widget shows in your manage widgets bar that is not deactivated can be using resources as well. Consequently I have gone through and made sure to untick all the widgets that I do not use and throw away those I never intend to use.

Cheers

Grim

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(NT) Whoops! Messed up the tags on that one... :-)
Jun 27, 2007 12:32AM PDT
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First Try. Downloaded Mozilla Firefox.....
Jun 27, 2007 5:32PM PDT

I downloaded the mozilla dmg file to the Downloads folder on the desktop and then double clicked it. It created a Firefox disk icon on the desktop and another window showing 3 icons (mozilla icon, smaller mozilla icon with a pointer and plus symbol, and the applications folder). I clicked the Firefox icon in this prompt and it opened Firefox. A firefox icon appeared in the dock.

I closed firefox, dragged the Firefox disk icon on the desktop to the Applications folder. Now there are two Firefox disk icons, one in the Applications Folder, and one on the deskop. I tired to eject the one on the desktop as suggested, but it says that it is in use. I have no Firefox browser windows opened.

Did I miss a step or do something wrong? I thought I could delete the desktop icon.

Thanks,

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I think I got it this time...
Jun 27, 2007 5:48PM PDT

I deleted all of the firefox items and started from scratch. I downloaded the firefox dmg file again, clicked it, the firefox disk appeared on my desktop. I clicked the firefox disk icon, and it opened the previously mentioned window of three icons (which are the instructions?) I opened another finder window and dragged the Firefox image into the Applications folder. I then closed the instructions window and ejected the Firefox disk.

Now I have Firefox in my applications folder, but not in my dock. Is this the correct pattern for downloading and installing similar programs/software?

I will play around with how to get the firefox icon to appear in my dock permanenlty as a shortcut.

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Now you're cooking with gas,
Jun 27, 2007 9:59PM PDT

That is the correct procedure.
Just open your Applications folder and drag the Firefox icon into the dock. This will create a permanent icon in the dock, it is an alias, while leaving the "real" application in the Applications folder.

P

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Just a quick aside,
Jun 27, 2007 10:35PM PDT

You said
"window showing 3 icons (mozilla icon, smaller mozilla icon with a pointer and plus symbol, and the applications folder)."

Another way to install applications that look like this when you open the disk image file (.dmg) is to drag the application icon (the one without the pointer) onto the application folder icon that is also in the that folder.
This puts the application into your application folder. Neat!

You can delete those .dmg files that are inside your Download folder when you have finished the install.

P

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Downloading Files
Apr 15, 2007 12:13PM PDT

Download files to desktop, or to any folder you like as determined by browser setting.

Double click on the file and it will open. Then drag the application icon into any folder. I usually drag the icon to the applications folder.

OS X treats the .dmg file as it it were a disk. You must right click on the drive icon on the right side of screen and select "eject" and the icon will disappear. The .dmg file will then remain on the right of your desktop (assuming this is where you opted for download to reside). I then drag and drop the .dmg file into a folder I have called "downloads" and in due course make a backup copy to a CD.

The procedure is much like you do with Windows with the exception of ejecting the drive icon.

When you drag the icon to the folder you have selected it will then be copied to that folder.