Looking for a launcher

[Josh]

OK Folks, I have a new tool I am trying to locate.

As an avid keyboard user, I love the ability to launch things via hotkeys, find documents I want by typing, and being able to customize different shorts to perform key functions. Autohotkey can do this, however I prefer something with a configurable GUI that doesn't require code to make work.

I have looked at various tools like Launchy and executor and FARR. I currently use FARR but need something with indexing due to the large number of files I search in some folders. Executor is nice but it lacks the ability use some form of regexp or other matching (for shortcuts like my mstsc alias that has pre-programmed servers in it for remote desktop connections). Launchy seems to be showing its signs of abandonment and I would prefer something that shows the promise of being updated if needed.

What recommendations does everyone have? I have checked out most of the tools listed on alternativeto.net. I really want something that is keyboard focused, supports some form of filtering per shortcut, and can do filesystem browsing.

I look forward to the responses!

[kilele]

You might want to combine FARR with some specific software for indexed searching like Locate32

[40hz]

You might want to combine FARR with some specific software for indexed searching like Locate32

-kilele (June 05, 2013, 09:51 AM)

+1! That or Everything. It supports regex. But it only works with local NTSF formatted drives. It doesn't do FAT32 or remote disks. (Correction: see next post.)

[4wd]

That or Everything. It supports regex. But it only works with local NTSF formatted drives. It doesn't do FAT32 or remote disks.

-40hz (June 05, 2013, 10:25 AM)

Guess again

New features in the beta:
Search Syntax
ETP/FTP Server
HTTP Server
Folder Indexing for indexing network shares and FAT32 volumes
Search History
Everything Service for running Everything with a normal user account
EFU File Lists for indexing USB drives, network shares, DVDRoms etc..

Get it here.

I have it remotely index my WHS machine once a day, (during it's 3 hour backup window), I can then search the index even if the machine is powered down.

[40hz]

That or Everything. It supports regex. But it only works with local NTSF formatted drives. It doesn't do FAT32 or remote disks.

-40hz (June 05, 2013, 10:25 AM)

Guess again

-4wd (June 05, 2013, 11:03 AM)

@4wd - Thx!  I stand corrected. Been a while - and I'm mostly Linux these days so I don't stay as current with my Windows software as I used to.

[Tinman57]

  You really should try Bayden Software's free SlickRun.  I experimented with a ton of hotkey type apps until I came across this, and haven't looked back since.

SlickRun is a free floating command line utility for Windows. SlickRun gives you almost instant access to any program or website. SlickRun allows you to create command aliases (known as MagicWords), so C:\Program Files\Outlook Express\msimn.exe becomes MAIL.
Enter a web URL into SlickRun and it will launch your browser and navigate to the specified address. Run multiple programs in a few keystrokes, jot a note, look up a definition... SlickRun is the most natural way to interact with your computer. 

http://www.bayden.com/SlickRun/

[40hz]

@Tinman - regarding SlickRun -  it does look like it lives up to the name. But is it still being actively developed? It's 32-bit AFAICT and the last update was released on June 28, 2009.

UPDATE: Oh wait...this guy has it running under Windows 8 so maybe it doesn’t matter....

[mouser]

Try to convince the author of Find and Run Robot to add optional support for indexing -- that would give you the best of both worlds.

[rgdot]

Try to convince the author of Find and Run Robot to add optional support for indexing -- that would give you the best of both worlds.

-mouser (June 05, 2013, 09:49 PM)

 

[Josh]

Try to convince the author of Find and Run Robot to add optional support for indexing -- that would give you the best of both worlds.

-mouser (June 05, 2013, 09:49 PM)

Mouser, you missed one of my key requirements...

...and I would prefer something that shows the promise of being updated if needed.

[Tinman57]

@Tinman - regarding SlickRun -  it does look like it lives up to the name. But is it still being actively developed? It's 32-bit AFAICT and the last update was released on June 28, 2009.

UPDATE: Oh wait...this guy has it running under Windows 8 so maybe it doesn’t matter....

-40hz (June 05, 2013, 09:39 PM)

  It's still actively supported.  The beta version (4.1.4.0 BETA) was released 18 Apr 2011, but I'm using version 4.1.3.0 and don't have any problems with it.  Even the version prior I didn't have any problems with, just some updates they did to the newer version.

[mouser]

I will be adding indexing option to FARR.

[Josh]

I will be adding indexing option to FARR.

-mouser (June 07, 2013, 02:59 AM)

Paint me "tickled pink"! Any ideas on a timeline

On a side note, the everything plugin from FARR is awesome and has the source code available

[mouser]

Any ideas on a timeline

I would have thought that would be obvious. As soon as you switch away from FARR to another tool.

[Josh]

Any ideas on a timeline

I would have thought that would be obvious. As soon as you switch away from FARR to another tool.

-mouser (June 07, 2013, 03:41 AM)

And there I was trying to be nice. Oh well, I guess nice guys finish last. Back to troll mode >-)

[mouser]

I was just kidding! 

[Josh]

I was just kidding! 

-mouser (June 07, 2013, 04:44 AM)

And the games begin!

[highend01]

I will be adding indexing option to FARR.

This would be a tremendous step forward to "the perfect" launcher.

Hope to see it soon

[superboyac]

I will be adding indexing option to FARR.

-mouser (June 07, 2013, 02:59 AM)