OS 10.5.8 imac 4 Gb ram

Yesterday I dragged a download item from the dock and then
proceeded as usual.

Then I noticed that the downloads had disappeared from the dock.

How can I get it back?
jaybass.

the Download folder? you can open a Finder window, and just drag the Downloads folder back into the Dock.

I believe that when there is something in that folder it reappears in the Dock. I find it kind of awkward and always instruct browsers to download to the Desktop. This way I do not need to go elsewhere to open a file.

Not so. To research this, try setting your browser to download to your Downloads folder temporarily. You'll see that that folder's presence on or absence from on the Dock is unrelated to whether or not it contains any files.

As for awkwardness, I'd argue that it's a lot less trouble to open up an easily accessible folder from the Dock than to move aside open windows to hunt for an icon amidst the clutter of the Desktop.

By default the Downloads folder is installed in the Dock. If it is dragged off of the Dock, it will not reappear unless you drag it back regardless of whether there is anything in it or not. At least that is the behavior on my Macs running OS X 10.5.8.

Of course, shame on anyone with a cluttered Desktop! And lots of open windows in the way; isn't that the purpose of Exposé?

That was my reaction as well. What clutter? Not on my Desktop!

I don't have a cluttered Desktop, but if the 106 items currerntly residing in my Downloads folder were all on my Desktop I sure would. I thought that was the real purpose behind the Downloads folder: to institute a default behavior which protects the terminally lazy from the performance penalty a cluttered Desktop exacts.

As for Exposé, I don't like it and never use it...but doesn't that require an extra step? You still have to clear the windows out of the way before finding the downloaded file. And if you're so organized that you only ever have the single most-recently downloaded file on the Desktop, why not avoid FInder altogether and open it from within your browser's Download manager window?

You were right about the Downloads folder. As for the clutter, I don't have one either. The downloaded items get rearranged to appropriate folders at least once a week or trashed after use, like software updates. Of course, it is a matter of preference.
P.S. I am not sure about Roger's post. If I open the Finder, I do not see the downloads folder. My downloads folder is in the Users>my name>Downloads

Like me, Roger probably has his Finder prefs set to open new windows to his Home folder, so opening a FInder window gives easy one-click access to his Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Library, Movies, Music, Photos, Public, and Sites folders.

To all who responded to my query, thank you.

Before I checked the forum, I used my backup to get back where I was.

However, if I should lose my downloads again, I would just drag the downloads to the dock. Much simpler.

jaybass

dk is correct, but I also made an assumption that once a Finder window was open, one could navigate to and drag the Downloads folder.

/slaps own wrist

I extrapolated from your words to your intent...no great mystery...no wrist slapping called for.