Application Folder, Alias's, etc. Questions

[Robert4]

Hello,

Thought I had most of this understood, but obviously I don't.
So, let me please ask:

I downloaded a really nice Astronomy program called Stellarium.
Really something; take a look if you are at all interested in Astronomy.

I ended up with an icon for it on my Desktop after downloading it.
I then tried to put the icon into the Application Folder; the Folder labeled Applications to the right of the Divider bar on the bottom.
It won't let me.

But, it will let me put it on the bottom bar to the right of the divider, which I know is for Applications.

a. Why can't I put it into the Application Folder there ?

b. And, when I see an icon on the Desktop, how can I know if it is the actual program icon or an Alias ?

*c. What are the rules governing where an Alias, or the actual program icon, can and cannot be placed ?

Thanks,
Bob

 

[DeltaMac]

b. An alias file will have a small arrow on the bottom left corner of the file's icon. You can also right-click on the file, choose Get Info, and that information window will show you what type of file it is.

If it is an alias, you could leave it where it is, as it is just a link to the app.
Also, if it is an alias, you can again right-click the file, choose "Show Original", and that will then show you where the linked file or app is actually located. It might already be in the Applications folder.

By the way, the right end of the Dock (near where the trash is located) is NOT for applications, but is for folders.
So, it's likely that icon represents a folder, and the end of Dock is the correct place for that.
If you OPEN that folder, you will likely find the real app. Leave that app where it is, as it might need to be in that location to work correctly. AND, if you want the Stellarium app in your Dock, drag that Stellarium app (inside the folder) to the Dock. You will be able to position that where you want it, and the original app remains inside that folder. Dragging any app to the Dock simply creates a link icon for that app in the Dock. The original app is not disturbed when you do that.

a. and c. You should get a popup when you modify the Applications folder, which just means that it is asking for admin permission to move an app or folder to the Applications folder. Enter your admin password, and continue.

 

[jerwin]

When you download the file, you'll get a dmg file
"Stellarium-0.18.0.dmg"

Open that up, and you'll get a file called Stellarium. Drag that file to /Applications to copy it over.

Then double click on /Applications/Stellarium

MacOS will complain that it can't be opened because it's by a unidentified developer.

If you trust it, you can right click on the Stellarium icon, and select open

You can drag Applications/Stellarium to the leftmost side of the dock if you would like to keep it there

 

[chscag]

I downloaded a really nice Astronomy program called Stellarium.
Really something; take a look if you are at all interested in Astronomy.

Thanks for passing that on. I just downloaded it and it really does look nice. I was formerly using "Starry Night Pro" but it hasn't been updated for a long time and it's a 32 bit app.

 

[DeltaMac]

Just in case this gets missed for the OP, who is a relatively new Mac user: Stellarium downloads as a .dmg - a disk image file. When that is opened, you get a FOLDER called Stellarium 0.18.0
The Stellarium app is inside that folder. The folder can be copied to the Applications folder, but it would still be a folder, and would be the item that Robert4 was seeing on the desktop. That folder will only go to the Dock on the end near the trash, with any other folder that you might put there.
If you open the folder, there's the app. That app can be copied to the Applications folder. No need to have the folder that it arrives in.
And, then you can drag that Stellarium app to the Dock, among the other apps that might be in your Dock, moving the dock icon to wherever you like.

 

[Robert4]

Hi,

Just a quick thanks to everyone for taking the time, a lot obviously, in helping me out.
Great Forum and great folks.

Would really be lost without all your help.

Thanks again,
Bob

 

[Robert4]

Hi,

Just a bit more clarification, please. Sure is a lot to learn. Very different from my Windows pc, for sure.
Will blame my ignorance on "old age" now. Sure do appreciate the help.
Questions are probably dumb, but for me it's the best way of learning now.

a. Re the space to the right of the Divider line on the bottom.
As was mentioned, this is for Folders.
What happens if I have, e.g., a lot of Folders ?
Say a dozen or so. Way to many to fit there.
How does one handle this kind of problem in where to put all these Folders ?

b. I now have that Stellarium icon to the right of the divider.
I'm assuming it's a Folder.
I can open the program just fine by clicking on it.

Bit, it also, now, puts another Stellarium icon on the Desktop.
This happens each time I open the program from the bottom bar (right of Divider) icon.
It doesn't seem to be an Alias; no arrow on bottom.

It stays there when program is closed !
Can also re-open program by clicking on it.

What is it ?

Why does it also create this icon ?
Can I have it not do so ?

Thanks again,
Bob

 

[DeltaMac]

A. You are not required to put all your folders in the Dock. If you have a lot of folders, and you use each of those a lot, then you can make aliases of those folders, and then make a folder to keep all those aliases, then drag THAT folder into the dock. When you click on that dock icon, you will see the aliases, with the choice to open those. You can also change that folder setting in the Dock, so you see all the aliases in list view. If each is linked to a folder, you will also see the list of files and folders inside each folder. Experiment with the Dock icon settings (right-click on a Dock icon to see the various settings that you can change)
I think you will quickly see that there is a lot that you can do with folders.

B. The icon for Stellarium is likely the linked to the "disk image", which is what you originally downloaded. I would suggest that you remove THAT icon from the Dock. Open the disk image, get to the app itself (Get Info will tell you what you have selected), and drag the APP to your Applications folder, NOT the folder. Now, drag that app to your Dock. And, that should give you the proper icon, and not create a second icon when you have been simply reopening the disk image.
Finally, when you have the Stellarium app copied to your Applications folder, you can eject (unmount) the disk image, so that will disappear from your desktop. Drag the .dmg file to the trash, as you don't need it now.