Danny Gorog11 July 2007, 12:55 AM
Quicksilver is a fantastic Mac application launcher: you just need to invest the time in getting familiar with it.
 Quicksilver dialog box - just start typing. |
If you are involved with the Mac universe you've probably heard about
Quicksilver. It's one of those programs that you know exists but you're not exactly sure what it does. In fact Quicksilver's
powerful range of functions is often its downfall. People install it but don't know what it does so never use it again. According to Blacktree, developers of Quicksilver it is 'a unified, extensible interface for working with applications, contacts, music, and other data.'
Forget about what that actually means and trust me.
Just install it and begin to use it as an application launcher. That's all you should do to get familiar with the interface and the way it works. Once you've mastered using it for launching applications you can move on to its more complex functions. Also, Quicksilver will only really be useful to you if you are a shortcut junkie. If you are addicted to using the mouse for everything then forget it.
The best way for me to describe Quicksilver's functions are for me to explain how I use it.
Primarily I use Quicksilver as an application launcher instead of the Dock. The common way for users to launch applications is either keep them in the dock or click through to the applications folder when they need something. If you are a neat freak you'll only have the bare minimum in the dock.
For instance, I have all my main apps (like Mail,Firefox, Office, etc) but there are other apps that I use occasionally but don't want them cluttering my dock. If I want to launch these applications I need to click on Finder, go to the applications folder, find the application and double click to launch it. If you know Finder shortcuts you could also use the Shift+Apple+A command to bring up the applications folder.
With Quicksilver I hit a universal shortcut key (I've got mine set to Control+Space) and start typing the name of the application (or document) I want to launch. If I want Photoshop for example I'll type Control+Space and then 'pho'. Quicksilver presents you with a list of all items that contain 'pho' like Photoshop, Photo Booth, iPhoto but because I use Photoshop often it comes up first. Once Photoshop is selected all I do is hit enter to launch it.
Now, the same works for a document or a folder. Let's say I need to open a folder called 'writing' all I do is just hit my shortcut keys and start typing 'writing' until the folder shows up - then hit enter to open it. I know you can do the same with spotlight, but I find spotlight too slow to be effective.
Once you are familiar with Quicksilver you can take it to the next level by using Quicksilver to pretty much do anything on your Mac. For instance, I've got mine set so when I hit Control+Option+Apple+T it automatically opens a new email addressed to my dad. The long way would be to click on Mail (in the dock), Click New (or hit Apple N), Type Tom and then tab twice to the body of the email. Instead, I can accomplish all of this with one shortcut.
Quicksilver is a great application that you need to get familiar with before being able to fully understand its power. For me, Quicksilver has become an indispensable part of the way I use my Mac. Hopefully it will help change the way you use your mac too.