Launchy… free software to aid your creativity
Posted on February 14, 2007, by dazzer67, under preparation, software.
One of the frustrations with working creatively on a PC is the time it takes to move from an idea to creating with a specific application. It is far too easy (OK, I am talking windows here) to have an idea and then stumble around trying to find the application to use.
One solution is to have your desktop covered with shortcuts. However, I am a firm believer in Desktop Zen. My PC desktop has nothing on it at all and my sidebar is on auto hide. Less distractions equal more creative productivity, for me. Another option is to create special toolbars for those creative moments. I have used this for a while. A toolbar for web design apps, a toolbar for graphic apps and so on - as you can see I collect applications, [which could be an issue to deal with in the future.] The problem with this, and also the basic structure of Windows, is ‘where will the app I want be?’ Do I go start> all programs> or do I go toolbar> web>? Then the question is how have I labeled the shortcut? Where is Paint Shop Pro? Is it under graphics, Paint Shop Pro or Jasc Software? All of these, minor distractions and irritations, can hinder my creativity… until now.
Enter Launchy. I was skeptical when I first read about this wonderful little application. Basically it is a little, free Windows utility, that lets you forget about shortcuts, toolbars and start menus. It has a small memory footprint and sits silently in the background until you need an application.
Case study: I have an idea for an image and need to fire up Paint Shop Pro. Previously I would have been struggling to remember where it was and how to get it. Now I simply hit the alt and spacebar at the same (ish) time and up pops launchy. Then I start to type. By the time I have typed P-A-I for Paint Shop Pro, it has found the icon, and by pressing enter the program is firing up.
I think this is one of the best ‘free’ applications around, and ideal for creative types. So take a look at the website and see how this amazing simple program could help with your creative inspiration.
You can find out more here
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imaginality » Free PC productivity software Launchy, gets a makeover on April 27, 2007
[...] and I’d like to promote this piece of software as much as possible. If you take a look at this previous post, you’ll see that I think Launchy is a great little application. The peeps who [...]