Software install issues

[stark2051]

So, Im having this issue: everytime I install a downloaded program; like firefox and windows media player, for example. OSX installs them as disk images on the desktop. I know this isn't correct, but I dont know how to make it install them into my HD in the finder. I know I sound like an idiot, but I haven't used a Mac since 8.6--it's been a while. Thanks for the help

--CJ

[Eidorian]

Did you drag the program from the disk image into /Applications and them make sure the Dock icon is for the program IN /Applications?

And there's this (http://guides.macrumors.com/Installing_Applications_in_Mac_OS_X).