nüvifone™. The navigation phone.
Similar to Launchy, Executor is a program launcher powered by hot keys that nonetheless offers a different program-starting experience.
Several of the many skins available for Executor.
(Credit: Executor)The interface should be familiar to Launchy fans. A skinnable bar appears at the top of your screen, and as soon as you type in the first few characters of the program that you're looking for, a list of potential choices appears. The more you type, the shorter the list becomes. Users can also scroll down the list to click on the item they want.
From there, Executor begins to differentiate itself. The customization options that you can choose from give the little app a lot of heft. Users can choose to drag an object onto the bar to create a keyword for said file, folder, or favorite. This is an interesting workaround for the less-than-compelling search feature, which works great with programs but had trouble indexing all my files.
Another built-in alternative takes advantage of the native Windows searching system, for both XP and Vista users. Users should be able to type "find [text]" and Executor will search your hard drive. In principle, even with the keyword this depends on you going into the Settings menu and configuring the indexing system to index your entire hard drive.
However, the keyword feature works great. Change that ''find'' to ''addremove'' and type in the name of the program, and Executor automatically opens up the Windows native Add/Remove Programs options from the Control Panel.
It feels like everything else in Executor can be customized, from such superficial aspects such as the skins to how the auto-completion function behaves. You can set it to override the Windows Run hot key, you can swap hot keys around, and you can set URLs, files, or programs to launch alongside Executor.
Executor should appeal to power users who are looking to accomplish specific program-launching tasks within a framework that offers a lot of leeway for customization.
Launchy
(Credit: CNET Networks)If you're familiar with Windows application launchers (aside from the "Run" button), you probably already know about Launchy, a simple utility that finds and runs/opens programs, file, music, Web searches, and bookmarks. Launchy has earned a big fan base because of its simplicity and efficiency. However, two new free launchers have their sights set on Launchy's user base.
Executor is slick and endlessly keywordable.
(Credit: CNET Networks)Yesterday, the tech site Lifehacker featured Executor, a free release from Martin Bressman that expands upon Launchy's run functionality. Executor has a slick interface and is a no-brainer for keyboard maniacs. All of your favorite software, movies, and music can be started with easily customizable keywords.
FARR looks simple, but works quickly.
(Credit: CNET Networks)Another popular program on the rise is the Find and Run Robot (or FARR) from DonationCoder.com. Although FARR is styled more like a search tool than a launcher, once you find what you're looking for, FARR lets you start applications, send e-mail, and perform quick Web searches. It uses adaptive caching to learn which programs and files you use most, and it's also been extended with free add-ons for services like Google Maps and compatibility with alternative browsers like Opera.
Do you use a launching application, or is the good old Windows Start button and Run functionality good enough? Tell me about it in the comments.
Just a simple hotkey combo away, Launchy is a handy tool that lets you open nearly any program, file, folder, or Web site on your system with just a few keystrokes.
Enter the first few letters of a file or program, and Launchy's small, skinnable interface automatically displays the rest of the name. You simply press Enter to open or launch it. If the displayed name isn't the item you want, a few seconds later the tool displays a drop-down list with other likely candidates from which you can choose. Configuring Launchy is as easy as using the tool itself, and it can be directed to look only at specific directories if need be. Easy to master, it performed without a hitch in all Download.com tests, and could easily replace the Start menu or Windows Explorer--as long as you know the name of what you're looking for. Recommended for all.
What's faster than opening a new browser tab and typing in the URL? Opening a Web page with Launchy, of course.
Last week we showed you how to open all your media files, documents, and programs using the quick-start application (if you missed it, we've included it below). In this quick tip video, CNET editor Tom Merritt demonstrates, as only he can, how to open Web sites, start an online search, and create search commands with this must-have freeware.
Miss last week's quick tip? After the first video, stick around for a second to learn how to index all your computer files with this video.
If we're starting to sound like broken records (or besotted Romeos) when singing Launchy's praises, it's only because the simple, elegant quick-start launcher for Windows applications hasn't yet let us down. Also, it's pretty.
Now, were you aware of Launchy's other charms? CNET editor Tom Merritt shares a useful tip for making the most of its file indexing to launch, not just Word and Yahoo Messenger, but also any file on the fly.
(Credit:
CNET Networks)
The Windows and Mac operating systems are both intended to be easy to navigate so you can get to your files quickly. Ideally, once our computers are fully booted up it should only take us a couple of steps before we can start working (or playing, as the case may be). While Windows Explorer and the Finder are adequate for navigating apps and files, it still takes a few unnecessary steps before you can get started.
While both operating systems offer a quicker option than digging through folders--Windows has the Quick launch bar and Mac offers the Dock--they tend to fill up pretty fast and before I know it, launching my favorite apps becomes a little less than quick. Fortunately, there's a whole category of third-party launchers designed to get you to your apps fast and offer varying options to increase productivity and improve workflow.
This week I've rounded up a pair of apps for each operating system to help you quickly launch your must-have software, Web sites, and files. Each has their own set of options that I like for different reasons, and the one that you choose should be the one that maximizes your productivity.
Customize Launchy's skin to your desktop so you can open apps in style.
(Credit: CNET Networks)Launchy for Windows is a popular free launcher in the office here at Download.com for quick access to apps and files. Simply hit a hot key to bring up the Launchy interface and type in a few letters to show results offering the best match. Not only can you launch your favorite apps and files, Launchy also searches your default browser's favorites file for matches to your most visited Web sites. To top it all off, the program is completely skinnable so you can customize it to fit the look of your desktop.
Separate your apps and files into groups with this app.
(Credit: CNET Networks)Fast Launcher lets you hit Control-Alt-X or double click a tray icon to bring up a nicely organized interface. This app takes a bit of setting up, but when you're done you can get to any app, file, or control panel in only a couple of clicks. Though you can't get to bookmarked Web pages like Launchy, Fast Launcher offers the option of creating groups so you can organize and launch multiple apps and files simultaneously. The drawback to this app is the lengthy setup that makes you drill down to find the apps you want to add to the interface. But when you're done, you'll like how quickly you can launch anything on your hard drive.
A sleek interface makes it easy to get to the files and apps you want.
(Credit: CNET Networks)QuickSilver for Mac has been a longtime favorite of mine (and many Mac users) for getting to apps and files quickly. Like Launchy for Windows, Mac users can type in a couple of keys to find just about anything and hit enter to launch. But what makes Quicksilver even better is the ability to perform specific actions with the files you find. Hitting the Tab key brings you to the action field where you can upload your updated page to your Web site via FTP, send a file in an e-mail, and queue up an album in iTunes, for example--all from within the interface. It also doesn't hurt that this free app is great to look at, fitting in perfectly with the smooth lines of OS X.
Organize your files into DragThing's tabbed interface for easy access
(Credit: CNET Networks)DragThing for Mac has been around since the Classic Mac OS as a way to add Dock-like launchers to your Mac desktop. Simply drag files, apps, and URLs to DragThing's dock to fill it up with your most-used stuff. What's great about this app is its flexibility. For example, you can choose to only launch specific DragThing docks alongside certain programs, filled with useful apps and files for that program. You can create as many as you want and it offers several customization options so you can create just the look you need for the job. When you want it out of the way, it minimizes like a drawer to the edge of your screen. If you're looking for ways to group programs and files together for easy access under specific workflow circumstances, DragThing is the launcher for you. You'll have to pay for all this flexibility though ($29).
If you use certain programs on a regular basis, it's much easier to use one of these programs to launch them quickly so you can start working right away. Also, whenever you need to get to a URL or open a specific project, these programs can you save you the hassle of searching through the Windows start menu or the Mac's Finder through countless folders. If you have a favorite launcher that's not listed here, please tell me about it in the comments!
Windows taskbars are notorious for being unfriendly, chaotic, and occasionally unresponsive. They also have poor social skills, but I'm not here to pass judgment. Instead, I'm going to show you three great freeware ways to lasso that unruly taskbar of yours and tame it right down, with Taskbar Shuffle, RocketDock, and Launchy.
... Read more
Those already using Launchy, a completely unobtrusive and utterly invaluable quick-app launcher, swear by it. Now they'll just swear louder.
It's often hard to improve on a good thing, but developer Josh Karlin has tried, and his efforts with this freeware gift to society have largely paid off over the last few releases. Most of the heavier-duty programming upgrades occurred in release 1.2.5, and Karlin has capped them off with a glossy finish in version 2.0.--a new look based on a new set of standards.
The new Launchy sports a boxier look with greater support for skinning and customization.
(Credit: CNET Networks)Sure, there will be some who will prefer Launchy 1.0's slim rectangular face to the widgety number Karlin and friends have reworked using the Qt toolkit, but lucky for them, there are respectable skin selections in the options menu (that UFO-looking button,) including the classic Black Glass skin. You're also free to download more from the site, or create your own.
A new platform means a new configuration, so you'll have to completely uninstall Launchy before upgrading, and you'll need to choose your skins and options anew as well.
That's not all bad. As long as you're setting up the new Launchy, now's the time to familiarize yourself with its lesser-known features, like it's ability to search directory files and folders, making it invaluable for indexing and quick-launching everything you store on your computer.
Of course, that's just the tip of the iceberg. Launchy is also equipped with Web-smart plugins that snap open Wikipedia, Google, and a new e-mail composition, along with Firefox and Internet Explorer bookmarks. If you're not partial to the default search query, tweak it.
While Launchy has worked on Vista in previous iterations, support improves with this version.
True to form, Launchy opens with a quick hot key combo.
(Credit: CNET Networks)Last week I shouted out seven CNET Download.com staff favorites for small, straightforward software for Windows, Mac, and mobile that perform a single task simply and well. Here are five more fresh picks, suggested by you.... Read more
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