Installed, got disappointed, installed Quicksilver, got disappointed and installed Launchbar, which turned out to be only half a dissapointment. Some quick research dubbed Alfred the new kid on the block. I still miss the workflow part and thought I'd look into today's alternatives. As you use the app, you’ll start to find new features and actions along the way.I'm installing my new MacBook and came to think of Quicksilver - a workhorse some 15 years ago, sent away once Spotlight entered into my life. One of the best ways to find out is just to start using it. There is a whole lot more you can do with LaunchBar. Select one and start typing to create a new event. It will show you a list of your calendars. You can also use LaunchBar to quickly enter calendar appointments. Hit the keyboard shortcut for this (the default is Command + Option + \), and pull up your ten items or more, depending on your settings. Make sure this is enabled by going to the Clipboard tab in the LaunchBar preferences. LaunchBar is also a handy way to keep your clipboard history handy. For more information on this, see the LaunchBar documentation. First, you’ll have to tell LaunchBar where you want to search. You can also search your files and folders with LaunchBar. Hit your chosen key combination to pull up LaunchBar, and start typing the name of the app. The simplest use for LaunchBar, as the name implies, is launching apps. If not, make the app active, then select the LaunchBar menu at the top of the screen, open Preferences, select the Shortcuts tab, and set the Search in LaunchBar command to whatever you prefer. It should automatically be configured to use Command + Space. Open your Applications folder and double-click on the LaunchBar icon to launch the app. Here, go to Shortcuts and find the Spotlight section in the list on the left side of the screen, and then disable the Command + Space shortcut. If you want to replace Spotlight, open your System Preferences and go to the Keyboard section. Download the installer from the LaunchBar website, double-click the file to open the installer, then drag the LaunchBar icon into your Applications folder. Since both have a free trial, you’ll likely want to try both to see which is for you. If you start typing ‘w’ and then ‘o’ to launch Microsoft Word but wait too long to type the ‘r,’ LaunchBar will think you’re looking to launch Reminders. LaunchBar also interprets a long enough delay in what you type as starting over. LaunchBar will show the last command you used, while Alfred always launches as a blank slate. Both are accessed with a keyboard command, usually Command + Space, but they feel very different. The main way Alfred and LaunchBar differ is the interface. Alfred’s Workflows are many, and they add nearly limitless functionality to the launcher. These are somewhat limited compared to Alfred, however.Īlfred, especially with the Powerpack, has plenty of features out of the box as well, but these pale in comparison to how much you can add to the launcher. It is also extendable via its Actions, which let you add commands and other features. LaunchBar has more powerful searching and more features out of the gate and requires less configuration. This will cost you $27, meaning that LaunchBar and Alfred are comparably priced. That said, many of the launcher’s best features require the Powerpack upgrade. There’s also an option to use it for free, with one caveat: as the LaunchBar website puts it, the free version of the software “occasionally invites you to take a short break, allowing you to breathe and relax.”Īlfred is simply free, at least the core software is. LaunchBar sells for $29 and comes with a month-long free trial.
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