Flashmount: DMG Mounting in a Jiffy

The DMG file format dates as far back as Apple System 7. In Mac OS X 10.3, Apple “wow”ed the world, including me, by creating a faster way to mount disk images upon one’s desktop. As of not so long ago, Apple released Mac OS X 10.5, but this almighty revision of the Mac operating system did not include any faster ways to mount disk images, so a developer at Liquid Lunch decided to take matters into its own hands. He created Flashmount for this generation of “multi-taskers” and “speed demons”.

Flashmount is a standalone application that works very similarly to Apple’s Disk Utility app (DiskImageMounter.app). Once Flashmount is installed on a computer, all one has to do is change the default DMG mounting program from DiskImageMounter to Flashmount. Afterwards, when a DMG file is double-clicked, Flashmount will open without a dock icon or status bar and it will mount the disk image. Flashmount’s ease of use makes it great for anyone who downloads compressed files, especially Mac programs, frequently.

There are many positive aspects to this speedy program. First, it saves valuable time. Flashmount lacks a user interface, allowing it to perform at an optimal level, unlike Apple’s DiskImageMounter.app. Additionally, any EULA’s that would have appeared when opening a DMG do not. The developer bypassed this, which allows the user to gain even more saved time. With these two time-saving features built right in, I am sure any user would be happy to use this solution over Apple’s.

While I enjoy saving time with Flashmount, I do have a few gripes about it. First, there is no status bar. This stops you from knowing if there was an error mounting the DMG. If there was an error, you have wasted more time than you would have otherwise saved. Also, automatically accepting EULAs could be a harmful thing. Some EULAs are important because they tell the person mounting the DMG what they can and can not do with the contents. Without reading it, you could unknowingly violate the allowed uses of the DMG. Although I do highly suggest this program, I am warning its users to be careful and watchful.

Flashmount is available for free on its developer’s website, Liquid Lunch, but I am sure he would appreciate donations. Flashmount truly helps save time when it comes to mounting DMG files.