ceremorphosis

One of the first apps I install on any Mac I use is Quicksilver. It’s become second nature for me to hit Ctrl-Space to launch an app or execute some other feature and it’s both frustrating and amusing when I notice that I am hitting Ctrl-Space on a machine without Quicksilver installed. When it comes to Windows, I’d never really thought about installing a similar app, since I just assumed I’d adapt.

Well, why adapt when there is Launchy, on OSS equivalent to Quicksilver? While it uses Alt-Space by default, that’s easily re-configurable to Ctrl-Space. That ensures I am equally at home on both platforms (I don’t use Linux on the desktop, so no need there). It’s the simple things that make people more efficient, and this is one of them. (True, 90% of the use on my Windows box at home is gaming, but that’s besides the point.)

If you insist on commercial software, there is Approcket by Candy Labs. It’s a bit more full featured, and only $18, so it may be worth it to you. For me, Launchy is the way to go.