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Download & Install an Application - 2

These steps will show you how download and install a free application called Skype.

Download Skype

1 - The obvious first step is to go to the webpage that has the link to download the application. Just click on this box to go to the Skype Website for Mac. The window that opens should look something like the window on the right. Sometimes companies change the look of their site, that’s why I say it may look like it. What to look for on the window is a button that says “download” or, as it says at point of writing, “ Download Now”. (1a) Click on it.

2a- A new window opens and downloading should start. If you do not see a small window opening to track the download, click where it says “start download again.” (2b) to start the process.

3 - The small window is called “Downloads” and keeps track of applications being downloaded on your computer. You will see a list of them over time. All it contains is an icon to indicate which application is being downloaded and how long it will take. When the download is completed, (the blue line will be gone) close the window by clicking on the red dot.

Once the package is finished downloading, it automatically opens and an icon appears on your desktop that looks like a thumb drive.

Prior to Leopard, the actual application package was just placed on the desktop. Now it is placed in the downloads file which can be easily accessed from the shortcut icon placed beside the trash can.

5 - This drive automatically opens a window, which will start the process of installing the Application. There is more than one method used to install an application downloaded from the internet. This app uses the shorter method, doing more of the work behind the scenes. All you need to do is click on the Skype emblem, hold your pointer down and drag the icon over top of the icon representing the Applications folder.

Install

Note: From time to time applications will have updates that you can download. The steps are the same. At this point in the procedure you will get a small window alerting you to the fact that you already have an item by that name. In my example I was actually downloading an update for Skype. If you get this window, just click Replace to continue.

13 - You will be asked for a password. This will be the password you assigned to your computer when you first set it up or had someone set up for you. Input the Password, then click OK.

8 - Patience, you’re almost ready to use the application. But first, let’s clean up the “boxes and packaging materials”. At least, that’s what you would do if you bought a new toaster or sound system. Locate the “Skype” icon that looks like a drive, and drag it to the trash. As soon as you start to drag it, notice that the Trash Can turns into an Eject button, drop the icon on the Eject Button. Another way to eject it is to right click and choose Eject from the menu that pops up. (8b)

9 - Now, for accessing convenience, lets move an icon of the application to the Dock. Open any finder window, (i.e. folder on your desktop, hard-drive icon,or clicking on the happy face in the Dock.) Open the Applications folder by clicking on Applications in the left pane.

Done correctly, you will be placing an icon depicting the application on the Dock, while the actual app stays in the Applications Folder. Choose any location on the Dock you like. As soon as you drag the icon close enough, items on the dock will separate to allow you to drop it in place. Be careful, do not let go of the icon before you reach the dock. If you do, the actual application will end up on your desktop. If that happens, before doing anything else, hold down the command key, and press the Z key. That will undo the move and put the application back in the Applications folder.

15 - Finally, you will still have the original package named “skype_....dmg”. This is no longer needed either. If it’s on your desk top, just click on it and drag it to the trash similar to what we just did with the drive icon. This time, however, it actually goes to the trash. If your operating system is Leopard or newer, the file is located in the Downloads folder next to the trash. Since it is not messing up your desktop, you can either leave it and deal with it later, or click on the Downloads folder to reveal the culprit and then click on it and drag it to the trash.

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10 - Look for the Skype icon and drag it to the Dock.

Tip: Don’t use a mouse with a right click? Press the “control” key down, then click. This is the same as a right click and will give you the contextual menu (8b).

4 - The download is often called a “package”, a good name, since you can relate to getting a package in the mail.

Note: Some installations require you to drag the icon to the actual application folder, not just to an icon in the same window. In that case, open the Applications folder as in step 9. Drag the new application into it, and then continue with step 9 to place an icon on the dock.