I am lame: Why do installed programs appear as drives on desktop?

[mondo joe]

After being so comfortable and handy on PCs for so many years it's hard to be so inept on my new mac.

I've installed a couple of programs, and when I have the program appears on the desk top as a little drive icon.

I'm assuming this isn't the norm or I'd end up with a desktop covered in them soon.

I tried to drag it into Applications but it only seems to create a shortcut of some sort there.

I don't usually feel this dumb so I'm guessing it's just that I keep trying to use the mac as if it were a pc.

Anyone have any guidance for me??

[reprobate]

1. Don't feel bad. I'm just the same.

After 20? years on windows this is a paradym change big time. But I'm eager to learn and it's been fun so far.

[alfredo]

2. Open up those white drive icons and the application you are installing

is inside. Install the software inside by either dragging it to where you want it, or running the installation program.

When done, put the icon into the trash*. You can drag and drop it, or control click it and select eject.

*When you do that, the trash icon will turn into an eject icon.

http://www.apple.com/pro/training/macosx_basics/segment102664.html
watch the movie It will show the white icon.

[mondo joe]

3. Thanks Alfredo - you are my best friend today!

Worked perfectly - thanks!

[alfredo]

5. They confused me at first, but

someone helped me. I'm just passing on the favor.

[bullimiami]

4. but why?

because the files are disc images. when you open them they mount like a disc and you put them away like a disc.