DMG or Zip file for distribution to Macs?

Question

What do you prefer and why?

I've just finished my first Mac app and am wondering if this is an important decision.

Answer 1

I've always liked DMG better. You don't have to worry about filesystem clutter of extracted files, since you can just unmount the image when you're done installing it.

If the installation process for your app is of the "just put it in Applications" variety, you can also provide an alias to that folder in the DMG, which makes things really straightforward.

Answer 2

Interestingly, I was just reading this, having been referred to it this morning. http://daringfireball.net/2009/09/how_should_mac_apps_be_distributed

I like .dmg file distributions because they present a diskette or disc metaphor with which I am comfortable.

I can attest that the presented .dmg top level finder window does confuse some. The .zip file distributions tend to be clearer to those people.