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Launchy
by davidbrentforPM
Everyone likes to save time, it's human nature. The chance to skip that queue to the checkouts will be taken, if it's made available. If we bring this comparison into the computing world, then we all like to be able access information and services quickly and efficiently, do we not? For that is why we keep updated with the latest ... machines, operating systems, and ideally, the software. Here we have a programme that makes computing even more efficient, and once you start using it you'll know just what I mean.
Launchy is a very small piece of free software which, it's fair to say, is fairly unknown. The basic concept of the programme is that it will make you forget about your start menu, your desktop, and any other file managers you may have present. A big ask indeed. At this point I should really make clear that this is Windows software (and Linux also), so Mac Users, I'm sorry. Back to that bold statement; how will Launchy make you forget about what are undoubtedly quite key elements to any Windows platform? Through indexing. This basically means that Launchy will index (database/make a big old list of) the programmes in your start menu, as well as having the capability of doing the same with the rest of your files. Still not answering the question, I know, I'm getting there. From here on in, you can launch launchy (via a couple of keystrokes), start typing the name of the desired programme, folder or file, and the programme will guess what it is you're looking for. If it's wrong, then within a second or so some alternatives will also appear. You simply hit enter, and you're there. No more trekking your way to your files that are stashed away. Interested? Read on.
Starting from scratch and you'll need to download it, which shouldn't take long as it weighs in at just under 4mb. If you want a comparison, most songs are bigger than that. On with the installation, and it's probably the most standard installation you could ask for. Accept the EULA and confirm folder options, and you're done. The installing process takes a matter of seconds. I would ensure that you do read the 'readme', as suggested at the end of installation. I wouldn't normally suggest this, but for first time users this is basically the only source of guidance. You can refer back to it at any time by finding Launchy in your start menu (I know, how ironic).
OK, so you've told Launchy to open up the 'readme', which it has done, and the programme itself, which it appears not to have done. Not a great start you may think, but it's just hiding. Again, maybe not the start you would have wanted from your new programme, thinking to yourself, 'It's no time for games!'. This is why you should read the 'readme'. As it states very clearly before anything else, 'When Launchy runs it disappears to the background. You have to press 'alt+space' (control+space in Linux) in order to see Launchy'. This basically means that it won't get in your way until you need it. Once you're finished with it, then it goes again; a very convenient feature, and one that I am particularly fond of.
Once you've found it, you still may be a little confused. For indeed, it is just a box. A small rectangular box which sits at the bottom of your screen, without a toolbar or button in sight. It limits itself to what it needs, and a toolbar would be rather pointless. For that reason, the three available options to the programme are hidden away until you right click. The appearance is adjustable via the options (right click, options, skins tab), and the appearance of yours may be more than just a black box as default - in fairness, the default skin does include a button for options, although I don't really like its appearance.
Once you're happy with the appearance you can start using the programme for what it's made for - which is more than just a removable black box from the bottom of your screen. Now, by default, Launchy only indexes programmes that are in your start menu, which is useful enough in itself, especially if your start menu is nearly finding its way off the screen like mine. It works incredibly simply, and merely requires you to know what you're looking for and to be able to spell the first three or so letters correctly. As soon as you start typing it will start guessing what you're looking for, conveniently displaying the programme icon as well as just the name, a useful touch. You simply hit enter and the programme begins to launch, whilst Launchy goes and hides away once again. What you may have noticed that this entire process hasn't required you to click or even move the mouse. You've simply keyed 'Alt+Enter', typed the first few letters of your programme, and hit enter. Talk about a time saver.
Now you've every reason to feel aggrieved at this point, as Launchy did promise to index your files too - it does, but it requires a little more work on your part. This is where your 'readme' becomes very helpful, and is certainly a useful reference if you're a first time user. You'll need to head into the options, and select the 'Catalog' tab (yes, it's American, they spell differently). I think by default there are three folders indexed, which are two that relate to your Start Menu, and the other your Quick Launch (that's the bit next to your start menu). Adding a directory is simple, and explained really well in the 'readme'. You simply click on the '+' under 'directories', and browse to the folder you wish to add. This can have as many sub-folders as you wish, and doesn't have to include just files. Select the folder you want, and it will be added to the directories list. This is still useless however, as you need to add files types to scan within your chosen folder. Now if you've selected your 'My Documents' folder, then the chances are that you'll have various file formats in there. You can add these individually by putting an asterisk followed by the file type, for example, '*.jpeg'. This can be tiresome however, and should you wish to just add all the file types within the folder then you can do so by adding '*.*'. This is a very useful feature, which I have, admittedly, only just found out about through reading the 'readme'. Indeed, it is a very useful tutorial, even for those that think they know what they're doing! Once you've configured the options for your directories to your liking there's just one step left, which is to rescan the catalogue. This indexes all the new files and folders, and can be done at any time by right clicking the main interface, and selecting 'rebuild catalog'. You'll need to do this quite regularly as the programme won't scan by itself, thus meaning it won't automatically pick up on your new files.
There are also options to use plugins for Launchy, which are web-based, but seem slightly over the top for me. File management is enough and this surely just over-complicates things. Usage of these is quite complicated, and will require a good read of the 'readme' before you get going with them. However, by default, if Launchy has no idea what you're searching for, then you'll notice the icon and name change to 'Google', and lo and behold upon hitting enter you will see a long list of Google results open up in your browser. I tested this feature with a search of 'how do you open a tin of beans?', which quickly went to a Google search, rather than picking out the keyword or 'open' and guessing Open Office. I think this is effective as it shows the intelligence of the programme, to actually know what you're looking for the majority of the time.
Finally, if you're wondering how you close this box, you have to right click, and select 'exit'. Again, the 'readme' reveals all. If you want to get rid of it all together then you'll have to run the uninstaller which you'll find in the Start Menu directory. Or just type 'Launchy' in to Launchy, and you'll find it in the list of results.
Overall, I don't really see how you can go wrong with this product (unless you use a Mac). It does what it says it will do, and for that I don't see how you can complain. If you don't like the skin, then there are reasonable alternatives, and you don't even have to look at it for long anyway. Search results are accurate, efficient, and the whole procedure works really well. Even if you're just an average computer user, then I think you should give this a go. It's ultimately a time saver, and every second saved is another second gained for reading, rating and reviewing, is it not?
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