A ".dmg" once opened is a "Volume." See my definition of "item." I rest my case, book and argument. However, are you saying that the actual ".dmg" file that was created/downloaded will not transfer?
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As for the .jpg creating an alias when dragged and dropped to a new volume, though - that's just weird and definitely not what is supposed to happen. Same with any drag and drop installations of applications.
The one I created and dragged to another volume simply pointed back to the original file, which is all an alias is supposed to do, correct? And it does have the little curved arrow. Now, the two views I looked at were Column and Icon. Let me look at List and see if there is a difference...
...nope, same alias icon. But I don't think that had anything to do with the "weirdness."
I suspect our/my problem is attempting to use "logic" in determining what will "always" happen! Apple, in their wisdom, doesn't "always" do everything "logically!" I still remember objections to dragging an Volume/disk to the trash to eject it and yet not actually destroying it!
Some of these 'quirks' are labeled Easter Eggs. Some are just downright confusing, like different reactions when clicking an icon on a Finder window that is not active, depending on whether the window is in Icon or List/Column view...
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However, are you saying that the actual ".dmg" file that was created/downloaded will not transfer?
Nope - that worked fine, as I noted.
Jim, your post above quotes my bit about the .jpg and then says:
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The one I created and dragged to another volume simply pointed back to the original file, which is all an alias is supposed to do, correct?
Are you saying that dragging and dropping a .jpg from one volume to another created an ALIAS??? Because that's not what happens for me, nor is it what Beacher expected (hence his post) so that's why I referred to it as "weird."
Methinks we need some clarification here!! (Further clarification/correction two posts down... 2 and 3 should be switched)
To reiterate:
1. Dragging and dropping a .jpg from one volume to the other creates a COPY
2. Dragging and dropping a .dmg file (unopened) from the desktop to another volume creates an ALIAS
3. Dragging and dropping an opened .dmg file from the desktop to another volume creates a COPY
4. Dragging and dropping an application from one volume to another creates a COPY
5. Dragging and dropping one volume on the desktop to another volume on the desktop creates an ALIAS. You can't do it in list view (the Finder just tries to change the order of the volumes, seeing it as an attempt to move them, not copy them, apparently)
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Dragging and dropping a .dmg file (unopened) from the desktop to another volume creates an ALIAS
Not for me. This COPIES the unopened .dmg file.