Launchy 2.0 released
A few weeks back we asked you to name your favorite program launchers. While we're big fans of QuickSilver for OS X and Launchy for Windows, we had a feeling there might be something faster, fuller-featured, or otherwise better out there. And you rose to the challenge, listing a bunch of great alternatives.But now Launchy's upping its game with the release of Launchy 2.0. It's still a lightweight and fast application launcher. But Launchy 2.0 sports a bunch of new features, and a ton of new customization options.
The two most noticeable changes are a new default skin (although you can select the classic theme if you like), and the fact that you can now easily drag and drop the Launchy bar to place it anywhere on your desktop. But that's not all that's new:
- New icons and default skin
- New options dialog with easy access to settings like opaqueness, number of alternative suggestions, theme selection, and folders to scan
- Skin selector shows previews
- Vista support












Comments
14
Subscribe to commentsLuisDec 18th 2007 11:39PM
I used to use MCL before I started using Launchy. MCL uses a lot less ram and takes up less disk space. It's not very nice looking at all thought. But I thought I should mention it.
http://www.mlin.net/MCL.shtml
Blog JonesDec 18th 2007 11:43PM
Cool! Thanks for the post about this.
I found that it did retain my old configuration file since I was using the beta version of Launchy.
alexDec 19th 2007 8:09AM
My fave is the super fast spotlight that is built right into leopard.
mgthantzinDec 19th 2007 8:09AM
Long-awaited update. Yesh. The previous version did not really support Vista. Skins were unstable with Vista.
philosopherdogDec 19th 2007 8:10AM
Just installed it. Unless there's something wrong with my setup... I am having 100% cpu hogging with the new version, which is clocking in over 50 mbs of ram! Obviously this won't do. I went back to the previous version, which running at 14 mbs of ram, which I had thought was a bit much already. Anyhow, stick to the old version.
westudiDec 19th 2007 8:11AM
I'm pretty happy with my Logitech G15 and Rocketdock.
darshilDec 20th 2007 8:51PM
its using a bit too much ram now and it doesnt remain minimalistic in my opinion- its lost me, im going back to 1.25
Grammar freakDec 19th 2007 10:47AM
Can someone explain why you would need this on vista? I like it on XP, but what does Launchy accomplish that pressing the start key and typing in that start menu search box thing doesn't? (Unless you prefer run with the non-vista start bar)
GregDec 19th 2007 9:21PM
I run vista and i use launchy. Although I realize i can easily hit the windows key and type the name of an application I wish to run, I really enjoy the fact that I can hit ctrl + space (my preferred key combination) and type any keyword from any of my many firefox bookmarks. It's convenience like this that makes my life that much easier.
I've been having trouble with the new fade-in and fade-out feature. It seems that you don't have much control over the fade time. There is are 2 very nice long scroll bars in the options under General GUI but it appears that no matter where you set the marker it takes the same amount of time to appear/disappear. Has anyone else experienced this?
Joao AlmeidaDec 19th 2007 12:23PM
I've been using the beta without any major problem
MatidioDec 20th 2007 8:31AM
Whoever said "It's still a lightweight and fast application launcher." didn't even install or used that beast.
It has got a lame, fat duck.
Anonymous CowardDec 21st 2007 8:07AM
Better than 1.25. In my case I index project directories so I can open them and flip between them easily. Hundreds of projects and prior version didnot have any cutoff in depth so it would not index properly. This version does it properly.
I might be wrong but I remember seeing prior version run 60M over a long run this version is significantly less...
I donot care about the skins as long as it is usable and saves me keystrokes so I'd appreciate more efforts into memory/speed/usability.
RonDec 21st 2007 8:47AM
Is it just me or do the old skins dont work with 2.0. Does anybody know where you can download skins that work with the new version.
SalvinoDec 29th 2007 9:55AM
I really like this soft since the V.1.25...
But i have a problem with de V2.0.0....
It simply doesn't launch my FireForx bookmarks anymore... :(
The web searches aren't working too
=> Google [tab] my_search and nothing happen...
Can someone me..... ?
Salvino.