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What's your favorite program launcher? Ask DLS
Over the years we've tried out a ton of program launchers, but we're not sure we've settled on a favorite. The sidebar launchers for Vista and Yahoo! Widget Engine are kind of nice. RocketDock is amazing if you have a handful or applications you use all the time. And keyboard launcher Launchy is all kinds of awesome, if you can remember the name of the program your looking for.
But we haven't yet found one launcher to rule them all. So we turn to you, our loyal Download Squad readers. What's your favorite application launcher, and why? Oh yeah, and don't forget to let us know what operating systems it works with. While Launchy and RocketDock are both Windows-only, we don't want to leave out applications like Google Desktop that are cross-platform.
Comments
64
Subscribe to commentsGaryNov 27th 2007 11:25AM
True Launch Bar http://www.truelaunchbar.com
True Launch Bar allows you to combine your shortcuts into groups. This feature looks like popup menus.
Virtual folders, and add ons for weather-music-you name it.
Great program!
Isaac RabinovitchDec 4th 2007 10:35PM
Right you are. TLB is basically Quick Launch done right. The only feature I really care about is the support for pop-up menus on the launch bar and on other menus. This allows the 20 or so programs I used day-to-day to be no more than a few clicks away. That alone makes the program worth paying for. There are lots of other features (GUI customizations, plugins that display real-time information) that are nicely done, and moderately useful.
Robert ClarkNov 27th 2007 12:44PM
I personally use LaunchOnFly from http://www.arturdev.com. you can get the latest version for I think 15 bucks US or you can use the freeware version 1.31 (doesn't nag you unless you tell it to update).
I currently use the freeware version to totally replace my start menu with just a couple of exceptions. Its lightweight enough that all I do is hit a keycombo or mouse to a certain part of my screen (usuallyupper left corner) and it opens up faster than the taskbar pops up when it is hidden, let alone the comparatively slow Start Menu.
TomNov 27th 2007 11:43AM
Forgot to add the URL -
WinKey: http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,5506-order,1-page,1-c,alldownloads/description.html
Lon PhillipsNov 27th 2007 12:03PM
I use Faster Than Ever cuz it is!
essjayNov 27th 2007 12:16PM
I can't believe Quicksilver hasn't been mentioned yet. It's not just a launcher but it will literally change the way you use your computer. One of the best applications I've ever come across. Of course, it's OSX only...
palDec 10th 2007 7:43AM
Quicksilver on Mac.. it's the best I've know so far...
pal :)
kingkool68Nov 27th 2007 12:12PM
I love Bayden System's Slickrun. It's the perfect light weight launcher -> http://www.bayden.com/SlickRun/
DNov 27th 2007 12:16PM
SlickRun is vastly superior to Launchy.
http://www.bayden.com/SlickRun/
DavidNov 27th 2007 6:36PM
Why? SlickRun's website is sparse on information.
westudiNov 27th 2007 12:25PM
I mostly use my Logitech G15 keyboard and use the programmable macro keys for the programs I use much. When I run in a Vista environment, I certainly appreciate the sidebar too, but can mirror a great deal of that by using the quick launch bar. If there was a painless and easy way to install the Vista Sidebar on XP, I would use it.
Billy GoatsNov 27th 2007 12:32PM
I use Rocketdock, and I also have Objectdock(free version) installed, and right now, I'm torn.
Rocketdock's label text is nice and anti-aliased, Objectdock's is not. Objectdock will give space around the dock, and keep your icons from going under/over it, Rocketdock won't.
I would like to see Rocketdock implement the space around the dock; I'd become a lifelong user then.
You'd think that a company like Stardock would have already considered the ugly aliased text and also given you the ability to choose what font you'd like to use for your text labels. Maybe the paid version does this - I don't know.
JaymezNov 27th 2007 12:38PM
I use the classic start menu for XP. The less there is on my desktop, the better. Even Widgets and lauchbars are too much for my prefence. I'd rather deal with the menus.
SangNov 27th 2007 12:41PM
Quicksilver rules them all
http://docs.blacktree.com/quicksilver/what_is_quicksilver
It is most extensible and flexible app launcher I've seen. Though it's mainly used as app launcher, quicksilver can do so much more. It's only limitation is what kind of plug ins are being used.
For example, with itunes plug in, you can browse your itunes library via quicksilver and manipulate them just as if you are in itunes. you can play/pause, increase/decrease volumes, ratings, jump to songs, play an album, etc etc. With Addressbook plug in, you can browse through your contacts, browse into indivitual contacts to get specific information, and send emails to them directly all in quicksilver.
quicksilver has bit of stiff learning curve if you want to use it for it's full potential, but when you do, it can save you tons of time. only downside is it's mac only... well more reasons to switch eh?
for windows, i use launchy.. wish they have quicksilver for windows, but that's just not happening..
Jerry D. NealNov 27th 2007 12:42PM
My favorite launcher is Quicklauncher. I'm using KDE on openSUSE Linux 10.3. It enables you to have every desktop shortcut as a small panel icon, just like the Windows Quick Launch bar, and you can have as many as you like. I've tried every program launcher in Windows I know of since 1996, and as far as I'm concerned, this beats them all.
IanNov 27th 2007 2:35PM
On Windows: Launchy
On Mac: Quicksilver
On Linux: Alt+F1
TristanNov 27th 2007 1:07PM
I use Dash @ www.trydash.com
it is the best and most attractive.
I paid $20.
PEACE
TristanNov 27th 2007 1:21PM
I use Dash @ www.trydash.com
it is the best and most attractive.
I paid $20.
PEACE
ehm.. Windows XP
julianNov 27th 2007 4:54PM
awn is promising for linux :)
SensaiDec 26th 2007 5:02PM
I agree; if AWN was available on anything else, I'd use it like crazy.