Re: Any up-to-date documentation about os x software distribution?
Re: Any up-to-date documentation about os x software distribution?
- Subject: Re: Any up-to-date documentation about os x software distribution?
- From: Ulf Dunkel <email@hidden>
- Date: Fri, 06 May 2011 11:48:51 +0200
- Organization: invers Software & DSD.net
Hi Doug.
Maybe this discussion can be of interest for you:
<http://ignorethecode.net/blog/2009/07/24/installing-applications-on-the-mac-still-broken/>
<http://ignorethecode.net/blog/2009/07/25/more-on-installing-applications/>
Please take the time to learn the benefits of using the DMG format over
traditional archives. A feature that comes to mind is the built-in
checksumming to detect corruption. I particularly like this feature when
I need to backup an entire filesystem and need confirmation that the
image taken isn't corrupt.
But you'll surely know that ZIP also has a built-in checksumming, right?
DMG is perfect for entire filesystem backups. It isn't really handy for
app installation on the second view.
A rough comparison between ZIP and DMG
--------------------------------------
Download a ZIP from a website.
+ It is automatically unzipped by the browser.
+ You can either run it directly from the Downloads folder, or
+ you can drag it to any place on your computer.
+ The
Download a DMG from a website.
+ It is automatically decompressed and mounted by the browser/system.
+ You can run it directly from the mounted virtual drive (silly).
+ You can drag it to any place on your computer.
- When it contains more than one component (we often see Readme.RTF,
Manual.PDF, Purchase.webloc and other stuff), you will have to open a
Finder window for the Applications folder, create an app subfolder
there, then drag all components from the virtual drive to this
subfolder, in order not to clutter your Applications folder.
- You have to unmount the virtual drive by clicking on the Eject icon in
a Finder window, by dragging the drive icon to the Trash in the Dock or
by using a context menu command. (Not too intuitive.)
- You have to remove the DMG from your Downloads folder yourself.
PS: Whenever an application comes with more than just the app bundle, I
would always prefer a real installation package, no ZIP, no DMG.
Your turn. ;-)
---UlfDunkel
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