The problem.

I keep hearing about Quicksilver, a launcher application for Mac OS. I want me some of that.

 

I searched my currently installed apps for something similar. I use Copernic Agent, and Desktop search all day long. Sure, those are sort of similar, but they don’t really act like an application launcher. I have AppRocket installed but I remember not liking it because it requires .NET. I hate .NET; too many goddamned periods. I hate periods.

So, after hours of searching I found something that fit the bill–PC-Com.  PC-Com does almost exactly what Quicksilver does–almost everything. And PC-Com does a few things that Quicksilver doesn’t. I hope this puts a rest to your search for a Quicksilver-alike for you; it did for me. I am so impressed with PC-Com that I might even buy it.

How they stack up.

Quicksilver

• it will create a catalog of applications and some frequently used folders and documents
• search for and open anything in its catalog instantly
• will recognize which items you are searching for based on previous experience
• supports abbreviations
• vanishes, waiting for the next time you summon it
• Hitting <tab> takes you to the action field, where you can use the same adaptive search to select what you would like to do
• Plug-ins add both new items and new actions, allowing you to run scripts, send instant messages, dial phone numbers, look up words in a dictionary, queue up songs in iTunes party shuffle, and much, much more
• Frequently used commands can be bound to triggers, giving you the ability to execute them immediately by hitting a hot key or using the mouse on a corner or edge of the screen.
• Cost? Nothing to Mac users.

PC-Com

• PC-Com doesn’t index documents, files, folders, programs, bookmarks, etc. It doesn’t actually search for anything until you hit enter on a keyword that doesn’t exist in the command list. Then it will popup a search window, and scan your hard drive for a match.
• PC-Com will open anything in the command list instantly. The command list requires a little configuration, but it is very user friendly.
• PC-Com maintains a history list. This history can be browsed, and modified a couple of different ways.
• PC-Com sure as hell does support abbreviations. You can set up two different kinds of abbreviations; letter commands (a single letter equates to a command, file, folder, or link), and commands (a word or phrase with or without parameters).
• PC-Com hides after the command is run. It can be called up via a user configurable hotkey.
• PC-Com doesn’t have the tab key thing but you can configure commands that accept parameters, or record macros (mouse movements and all if you wish).
• No plugins. But the record macro function is almost unlimited in power.
• No hotkey binding.
• Cost? About $8.00 for Windows users only.

Other resources. 

http://vb.mvps.org/tips/shellcpl.txt

http://www.robvanderwoude.com/index.html

http://www.ericphelps.com/batch/rundll/

AppRocket

http://www.candylabs.com/approcket/

Agent 6.0 Basic

Desktop search

Meta

http://www.copernic.com/

PC-Com

http://www.boletrice.com/