Hi everybody, it's 2009. Happy New Year!
I've been meaning to get back into posting somewhat regularly in 2009, however I've been hit by a bad cold/flu bug since New Year's and haven't had much chance.
Anyway:
1) We are currently beta testing a new Mac OS X version. We could definitely use more Mac beta testers. If you are interesting in beta testing a Mac solitaire game for Mac OS X, shoot me an email at [email protected]
2) Speaking of the Mac, does anyone know a good web page that simply explains the installation process on a Mac from a .dmg file?. You would think that Apple would have something like this on their site, but I cannot find it. It seems that Apple thinks that installation is so easy that it requires no explanation, but the emails I get from users says otherwise.
FEEL BETTER!!!!!
Posted by: Jenni | January 08, 2009 at 11:39 PM
Installation on a Mac is usually just a matter of copying the application to the "Applications" folder.
If that's all that you need, then the "standard" is a custom dmg so the initial view is your application, an alias for the Applications folder, and whatever documentation (possibly in a folder) you have. It seems to me that the Applications folder alias is named "Copy to Applications" or "Install in Applications" or something like that. And the actual installation process is for the user to grab your application and drop it on the alias.
And yes, you are not alone. I've had to explain to people that they need to do that rather than opening the dmg and running the app from the dmg.
Posted by: Dwight Shih | January 09, 2009 at 08:47 AM
We switched from .dmg files to just using .zip files for Mac downloads. It's easier all around, and there has been zero user confusion. It usually auto-expands and then the app or app folder is right there.
Apple really dropped the ball on .dmg IMHO. It adds a lot of confusion and has no real benefits.
Posted by: Dustin | January 10, 2009 at 10:30 PM
Try:
http://stackoverflow.com/search?q=dmg
I use the dropdmg utility to do most of the grunt work.
I would also recommend having a nice background image.
Strangley Apple only allow .zip files on their own apple.com download site.
Posted by: Andy Brice | January 12, 2009 at 06:08 PM