How to generate a runnable Mac standalone from Windows

[Kay C Lan]

On Thu, Mar 18, 2010 at 9:14 PM, Richard Gaskin
<ambassador at fourthworld.com> wrote:
>
> While I haven't yet come across any formal usability studies on using disk
> images as installers (if anyone here finds one please pass it along), my own
> anecdotal evidence suggests that they're a good fit mainly for more
> experienced Mac users, but for the reasons noted in the links at that blog
> entry tend to confuse many others.
>
>

Sorry, taking your thread off topic here, this probably should be
directed to your blog, but I see this simply as how experienced do you
want to make your users. Yes I am an experienced Mac user so I'm
thoroughly happy with DMGs, I like to be involved in where I put
things on my Mac, and IMO, I think newbies should become involved as
well. Yes, a little confusing to start with, but not too difficult to
master.

To take this way OT, let me liken it to Toyota's stuck on full
throttle. Some people think the deaths cause by these incidents were
the result of faulty engineering. I know the deaths were caused by
poor driver training. You see, far too many people put their car in
Drive and then their mind in Neutral. Not one of these accidents would
have occurred if the person was driving a Manual car. A manual driver
would have engaged the clutch and/or selected Neutral, and instinctive
manoeuver. Automatic drivers seem to forget that they have a means to
disconnect the engine from the wheels. Also, both have the ability to
turn the ignition off, but neither are likely to think of this as they
haven't been taught it - hazardous as you need to remember the
steering lock and only do it on straight roads.

So, to me, Installers are like Automatics, loved by masses but
inevitably create an 'mind in Neutral' situation where the vast
majority of users really haven't got a clue. Is the rampant spread of
viruses, spam and phishing the result of vastly intelligent
instigators or the Pavlov's automatic response of a Users who's mind
is in Neutral?

IMO, computers are far more important to us than the car. Computers
are more and more intricately entwined into almost all aspects of our
lives. It's a fine line, because they are so entwined, they need to be
easy, intuitive, productive, not frustrating. But because the are so
entwined I feel we need to be somewhat involved in the process. If you
can't figure out how to open a DMG and drag an App to the folder or
your desire, how are you ever going to get your head around running
back-up and archive software and actually restoring a single corrupted
file?

DMG is the Mac standard, and whilst it might not be the best solution,
if everyone does the same thing, it shouldn't take long to catch the
drift. On the other hand, I'm highly skeptical of files that don't
install the DMG way or use the Mac Installer. I've Trashed Apps
straight off the bat that have installed themselves. Or, to put it
another way, if the Automatic starts misbehaving, I treat it like a
Manual and force it into the gear I want.

If a person really can't grasp the concept of opening a DMG, and
dragging the file to a folder after 3 or 4 attempts, then I guess I
wouldn't be surprised if they send a large sum money to an Nigerian
Bank account after receiving an important email because it was all in
CAPITALS.

(I just note that Jeffery posted to the list a possible bogus email
doing the rounds. Obviously doesn't open emails with his brain in
Neutral and I bet he knows how to work a DMG)

Just my Mac Dollars worth

:-)
PS Should Toyota's be better engineered - Yes
PPS Should drivers be better trained - Absolutely
PPPS Strange how there can only be one Neutral, your Brain or the
Transmission, but never both.
PPPPS In my Fantasy World all drivers would be trained and tested on
bringing a car to a halt after suffering a brake failure at 55 mph.