What's a good launcher?

[eli2k]

I use Launchy on WinXP, very quick and easy to load programs. Win7 has a good search-thing in the Start Menu, but I guess I'm used to pressing another key combination to have a dedicated small window pop-up (Win7, yes, just press the Start key and start typing) and let me do some searching, plus it gives a bit more control over what gets searched (pick which folders, which file types) when I type in letters, plus some added functionality (built-in quick calculator, among other things). I haven't kept up with newer competing application launchers recently, I'm just aware of Launchy, but know some other ones exist. Anyone here use a launcher they like?

Thanks,
- Eli

 

[garbanzo]

executor is good
or try farr for a bit more power

 

[Database]

Personally I'd try to get use to the default method, since it will be on any Windows 7/Vista machine you touch.

 

[hdfrango]

I also recommend executor. It is more flexible than using windows 7 start search, you can customize a lot of things, including what is being searched, how it is being searched, you can add keywords, you can type a web addres, there might even be addons available, etc.

You know this already, since launchy offers most of those features, but with less customization available, if I recall well (and I had stability issues with launchy on vista, so I didn't even try it on windows 7).

And about getting used to the normal way because it will be on every windows 7 machine you touch, there is not much to learn, you'll survive if you have to use the search menu elwhere

I have a dual screen setup, which makes having executor very relevant for me, allows me to launch stuff from both monitors, as well as being very flexible.

 

[CGA1]

If you're looking for flexibility you should definitely have a look at FARR: FARR (Find And Run Robot) - Mouser - Software - DonationCoder.com

 

[MilesAhead]

Not a launcher per se, but Everything is a nice search. The cool thing about it is it's NTFS only and uses the NTFS journaling mechanism to be informed of updates. Therefore, it doesn't index(no HD running on while the indexing is happening.) Although W7 isn't as bad as Vista. If you have a Vista machine I definitely recommend disabling search and installing Everything.

edit: the web page for Everything: http://www.voidtools.com/

 

[Tews]

Personally, back in my linux days, I used GnomeDo ... now I dont use a launcher..