Application Launchers are the Next Step
Application launchers are background programs that make it possible to quickly find and open applications using keyboard commands. This can make things much easier and quicker since your hands don’t have to leave the keyboard to mouse around menus.
On the Mac, Namely is a very simple application launcher that is easy to learn. You hit a keyboard command, start typing the name of the application, and when the application is highlighted in the list, hit “Enter” and it starts. It will learn your habits so eventually, you’ll be able to open iTunes just by hitting the keyboard shortcut for Namely, and then “i”, and then “Enter”. Just that easy.
On the PC, Launchy is a popular application launcher and it functions in the same way as Namely but it offers a little bit more features. It allows opening of documents and web searching from the same type of command functions as application launching. So you could open the video file you just downloaded in stead of just opening the application that can play the video file. You could also do a google search or start a slideshow with selected photos.
The application launchers can make working at your computer much more efficient and once you get used to using application launchers you’ll find your self wondering how you ever did without. You’ll also get really frustrated when you have to use a computer that doesn’t have one! It seems to be the natural maturation of the OS usability (combination of slick keyboard navigation and mousing) and I believe it will only become more and more prevalent.
If you have a Mac, and you want more functionality than Namely gives you – even more than Launchy gives PC users, the most popular launcher is Quicksilver. It is a very robust system where you can do a LOT of things just through some simple keyboard commands. Here is a guide provided by Lifehacker to some of the basics of usage, and hunt around Lifehacker for some of the more advanced guides and tips to get the most out of it.
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