I've just converted

[Billdog VII]

Dear all,

I h ave just converted to an Imac from a PC & finding it a little strange to get my head around.

As you know you don't get any books etc telling you how to work the machine

I have been able to downloadss programmes such as firefox, but I don't know how to install them. I have picked & dragged them into my applications, but I have to go through the whole set up procedure with them each time I want to use it.

Any idea??

Thanks

ps Oh yes as you can probably gather I am a technophobe so answers that your mother would understand!!

Thanks

 

[Jonnyfive]

What you need to do is drag the firefox icon itself into applications, then open it from applications.

The .dmg file is just like a .zip file for windows. Once you've used the files inside and moved them to applications you can delete it.

 

[Corrosive vinyl]

download the .dmg file (I save some of mine) and then open it... it will open in finder just like windows explorer... just like jonny said... drag and drop the .app file to your applications folder then open it in that folder... simple as punch!! Don't forget to either trash or save the .dmg file, I like keeping the desktop clean!

And welcome to the world of mac... I have been a mac user for about 3 years, excluding my childhood when I had a IIe and IIgs, and I love how easy and streamlined everything is, It boggles my mind looking back why the family didn't stick with apple from the begining!

 

[kixsand]

I found that to be a bit odd when I first started using macs as well...now it seems second nature to me...so you will get used to it.

There will be lots of other little things that trip you up just because they are different.

But...there will also be a million little things that are easier and make more sense to you.

Enjoy...and welcome.

That's the other thing...mac users like helping other mac users. Anytime you get stumped you can come here and post your problem and people will fall all over themselves to help you.

 

[emptyCup]

As you know you don't get any books etc telling you how to work the machine

Just because a book didn't come with the machine doesn't mean that you can't buy one. I suggest Switching to the Mac. Best wishes.

 

[squirrelbait]

i'll second the recommendation for switching to the mac - well written, helpful, easy to use.

ive just switched too and this book made the transition pretty easy

 

[thugpoet22]

Congrats on deciding to switch. I made the switch last May and im loving every bit of it. I decided on the Macbook but if i had more money i would have gotten the macbook pro. I must say the biggest adjustment was figuring out where all my space went. When i first cut my macbook on wih a 80 gig hard drive i was alreadydown to like 60 gigs. The mac comes with a lot of extra so keep that in mind. Much of it you might not need or want to use a the moment. There are also other languages that are installed that you might want to take off.

You might want to check out these other threads

favorite apps

What to do now that you have a mac

I think both of these will help you get started. I know they helped me out a lot.

 

[yojimbothe3rd]

I am new to Macs too. I have had mine fo about two days. I've installed a few apps but they are located on my desktop and I'm wondering how to get them into the application folder. Would it be easier to uninstall the program and then place the dmg file in the applications folder and install it? If so, what is the best way to uninstall something?

Another question, why do programs on the desktop show up with an ejection button in finder , they show up just like something in the dvd drive?

thanks

 

[machv]

I am new to Macs too. I have had mine fo about two days. I've installed a few apps but they are located on my desktop and I'm wondering how to get them into the application folder.

->>To move apps into Application Folder - open "Macintosh HD" and you should see "Application Folder". Select all apps and drag into "Application Folder".


Would it be easier to uninstall the program and then place the dmg file in the applications folder and install it?

->>No, it doesn't matter where you put Dmg file at, mac will always mount disk image on desktop. Btw, Dmg file is a disk image file (like iso in pc world), without using another program to mount disk image on your system. In pc world, an iso file usually requires Nero or Alcohol application to mount an image.

If so, what is the best way to uninstall something?

->>Easier - just drag apps into trash, however, if you to do "clean" uninstall, I use AppZapper.

Another question, why do programs on the desktop show up with an ejection button in finder , they show up just like something in the dvd drive?

->>Sorry, I don't know.


Best way to access favorite folders is to put them in right hand side of dock - next to trash.

 

[gothiquegirrl]

Another question, why do programs on the desktop show up with an ejection button in finder , they show up just like something in the dvd drive?

->>Sorry, I don't know.

I think what you are looking at are really the "installation" files. After you get the programs in the application folder properly... Go ahead and eject those things in finder. They have eject buttons because the are acting like "disks" per the previous explaination.

 

[bdemers]

Just some clarification

I know what all of you are saying, but as a windows user, I can see how confusing it is. Especially this stuff about disk images (which is really only used by Windows power-users). I'm going to try and say the same things again, just a little differently (hopefully) to clarify.

When you download programs, like Firefox, you get what is called a disk image, a .dmg file. When you open such a file, it shows up in the Finder, like an extra drive. A disk image behaves like a CD or DVD.

Inside this virtual disk, is the actual Firefox application package. Take that package, and drop it into your Applications folder. This is the program you want to install.

Once you've dragged it over, eject the disk image in the Finder, and, if it's saved somewhere, delete it (or save it for the day when you need to reinstall a program).

With the disk image deleted (or moved to safe storage), you're ready to go with the application package in your Applications folder.

Finally, to uninstall, go to the Applications folder, and drag the package to the trash. That's it! (there may be tiny "preference" files hidden elsewhere, but few people bother with those)

Hope this helps!

 

[Cybergypsy]

LOL, I was with Mac for 20 years and bought my first PC in a long time, and find that getting around took me a few weeks....... When Apple get better QC Iwill be back, 4 bad macs in 6 months.... for now loving this touchscreen ...with all the toys