Mac OS X gives you many way to unfold applications . you’re able to clack on their icons in the Dock , sidebar , or toolbar ; double - penetrate on their icons in the Finder ; or use Spotlight to witness and launch them . But all of these methods have one matter in common — they’re slow . If you postulate speed — or more option — you need a rocket launcher .

These add - on broadcast let you climb up to the right program or single file with just a few keystrokes , and they pack a encompassing multifariousness of other clip - saving shortcuts . Which launcher you utilize is a matter of personal preference . All of them let you open an item quickly by pressing a keyboard cutoff , typing the first few letters of the want item ’s name , and then adjure paying back . You might find their other features indispensable or perplexing , depending on how you work .

Here , three writer discuss some of the cool thing you may do with Peter Maurer ’s free Butler ( ) , Objective Development ’s $ 20 LaunchBar ( ) , and Blacktree ’s gratis Quicksilver ( ) .

When one covering can put back several , and do even more than they could , it ’s a winner in my Word . Here are some project at which Butler excels :

belt along Up Spotlight SearchesDon’t you hate how Spotlight starts searching before you ’ve even completed your search term ? employ Butler to send your completed query to Spotlight . Just summate a unexampled Spotlight Search Smart Item to Butler ’s configuration and designate a hot key to it . Press that hot key , enter your Spotlight search condition , and press getting even when you ’re ready for Spotlight to look . you may even toggle between searching single file contents and lodge names by entreat the up or down arrow before you press return key .

Search the WebI search many Web sites — Mac OS X Hints , Google , and Wikipedia , to name but three . Butler ’s Web search tool let you start searches without first loading the parent site in your internet browser . Add as many internet Search Smart Items to Butler ’s configuration as you need , and assign them live keys . I expend shift - option - control as the primal combination for my Web searches . If I press those keys along with W , I get a Wikipedia search box , or I can utilize G for a Google search or enthalpy for a Mac OS X Hints search .

Launch Dashboard WidgetsIn the General discussion section of Butler ’s preferences , contribute two new folders for Butler to search for program : /Library / Widgets andyour user folder / Library / Widgets . Now you’re able to give a Dashboard widget just by pressing control - spacebar and enroll a few letters of the widget ’s name ( see “ Fishing for Widgets ” ) .

Control iTunesUsing Butler ’s iTunes Smart Items , you may start , stop , skip forrad or backward , and even rate songs — all without ever trip iTunes . you’re able to do this via the Butler submission in the bill of fare bar , or ( my preference ) use hot keys that you delineate . The shortcuts oeuvre in any program , so I do n’t have to go hunting for iTunes ’ window or use iTunes ’ tail ikon to access these functions.—Rob Griffiths

Streamlined LaunchBar

I care LaunchBar because it ’s fast , it ’s loose to use , and it is n’t cluttered with obscure features . Here are some of my favorite way to practice it :

Hop to Documents and DataSure , launcher let you obtain and launch applications , but what about specific files and information ? After you ’ve used LaunchBar to get hold an program , press the right - pointer key . If you ’re in a text file - based software , such as TextEdit , you ’ll get a list of late text file .

LaunchBar can get at additional selection in some applications . For example , if you select iTunes with LaunchBar , pressing the right - pointer key lets you navigate your subroutine library — include playlists , album , artists , and songs — and set about playback ( see “ iTunes at Your Fingertips ” ) .

Make Quick CopiesNeed to re-create a single file on your screen background to a pamphlet snuggle deep down in your hard crusade ? Activate LaunchBar and typewrite the first few letter of the folder ’s name ; when the folder ’s icon appears in LaunchBar , haul the data file onto the icon . A menu lets you choose to move or copy the file to that booklet , or to create an false name of it there .

Cruise Your ContactsIf you keep all your contact information in OS X ’s Address Book or Microsoft ’s suite , typewrite the first few letter of a someone ’s name — or just his or her initial — will convey up the appropriate contact in LaunchBar . Once you ’re there , closet return to start the touch phonograph record , press shift - return to spread a new e - mail substance come up to to that someone , or press the right - arrow key repeatedly to move through the touch ’s information . If you ’re ready to dial , press the return key to view the phone number on screen in large eccentric .

Browse Files and FoldersWhenever LaunchBar displays a leaflet or intensity , you may bid the right - arrow keystone to see its contentedness and then practice the arrow keys to navigate through them .

Soup Up Spotlight SearchingActivate LaunchBar and press Command - F to perform advanced Spotlight searches — no want for Spotlight ’s inept hunting syntax . For instance , type

Only the EssentialsLaunchBar can do draw of nerveless things , but if you don’twantto do some of them , it ’s gentle to keep those features from get in your direction . Use LaunchBar ’s configuration window to disable whatever you do n’t need.—Dan Frakes

Customizable Quicksilver

I like Quicksilver because it ’s more than a launcher . Its features let you to do many different task efficiently , and its nearly 100 hoopla - in let you customise the programme to fit the direction you work . Here are just a few cracking ways to use Quicksilver :

Get Trigger - HappyIf tapping a live key and typ - ing the first few letter of a program ’s name are too much workplace , Quicksilver gives you an addi - tional alternative for quick launching . apply Quicksilver’striggersto access a control — a key stroke , a click , or even a black eye motion . So , for instance , I could instruct Quicksilver that when I attract a greater - than symbol with my shiner ( > ) , I desire to can off the iTunes Next Track action .

To create a gun trigger that open your favorite Web browser app , you could take Quicksilver : initiation and penetrate on the plus - sign ( + ) release at the bottom of the windowpane . In the card that seem , take HotKey . In the Item field , take your favorite Web web web browser . In the Action field , choose Open , and then snap on Save . Double - press the wordNonein the Trigger column to open a drawer full of pick . press the Hot Key field and then entreat the shortcut you ’d wish to give the web internet browser ( I use F1 ) . shut the windowpane . Now press the new blistering headstone , and your internet browser should open up . ( Learn more about triggers . )

Attach FastDo you send a lot of attachments via atomic number 99 - post ? Do n’t bother open up your e - mail programme and going through the regular rigmarole . With Quicksilver , you may press the program ’s cutoff , type a few letters of the file ’s name to select it , printing press chit , type

To enable this feature , you must first go to Quicksilver : Preferences and select the Enable Advanced Features option . The programme will relaunch . Reopen the Preferences and select Actions in the left - hand column . press Email Addresses in the Type column . Then , in the Actions column , enable Email Item ( get off Directly ) .

If you do n’t see any choice when you press Email Addresses , you need to install a plug - in . Choose Quicksilver : Plugins . You ’ll see an Entourage 2004 Module and an Apple Mail Module . Select the appropriate one , restart Quicksilver , and then follow the previous teaching .

Plug Into Plug - insWant to upload your photos from iPhoto to Flickr ? Do so directly with the Flickr Upload plug - in . require to compress files on - the - fly ball ? try on the File Compression Module . necessitate to upload file over FTP ? The Transmit plug - in makes it a breeze . practice the Plugins menu to manage and install spark plug - inch that involvement you.—Dan Dickinson