Launchy

Infobox Software
name = Launchy



caption =
collapsible =
author = Josh Karlin
developer =
released = initial release|2007|01|22
latest release version = 2.1.2
latest release date = release date|2008|08|5
latest preview version =
latest preview date =
frequently updated =
programming language = C++ Qt
operating system =
platform = GNU/Linux, Windows
size =
language =
status =
genre = application launcher (utility software)
license = GNU General Public License
website = http://www.launchy.net

Launchy is a free open source application launcher for GNU/Linux and Windows. It indexes shortcuts in the start menu, and files in specific folders to allow quicker access to programs without opening the start menu itself, or browsing to the relevant folder. cite web | last = Rosenblatt | first = Seth | title = The 10 best downloads of 2007 | publisher = CNet | date = December 22, 2007 | url = http://www.download.com/8301-2007_4-9835850-12.html?tag=blog.4] [cite web | last = Dolcourt | first = Jessica | title = Launchy 2.0 quick-starts apps with class | publisher = CNet | date = December 20, 2007 | url = http://www.download.com/8301-2007_4-9836546-12.html?tag=blog.1] cite web | last = Spector | first = Lincoln | title = Fifteen Great Time Saving Utilities | publisher = PC World | date = October 21, 2007 | url = http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,138571-page,2-c,utilities/article.html]

Program Usage

Launchy automatically loads itself on boot and waits for the user to call it by pressing Alt + Space or a custom user hotkey. The user then starts typing the name of the program or file they wish to launch. Launchy automatically searches its list of programs for the closest match as the user types. When it finds the desired program, the user hits enter and it is automatically launched.cite web | last = Gralla | first = Preston | title = The 15 Best Downloads of the Year | publisher = PC World | date = December 24, 2007 | url = http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,140721-page,3-c,utilities/article.html]

Launchy also has the option to add folders and file formats to its catalog for indexing. This makes it useful for launching almost anything on a computer, including internet, music, videos, and games. Launchy also can run Google, Wikipedia, MSN, and Yahoo searches, bringing the results up in the default browser. It also launches bookmarks as required. Launchy also supports plug-ins, adding to its versatility.

Platform

Launchy was originally written in C# (ver. 0.5) but the next release (0.6) was in C++. [ [http://sourceforge.net/projects/Launchy/ Project Details - Programming Language] ] The latest release (2.0) has been completely re-written using Qt. This has resulted in incompatibility between this version and older skins and plugins.

Plugins

The following plugins are included with the 2.0 release

Controly Plugin (controly.dll)

Index Control Panel Applications: This plugin finds the control panelapplications in your system and lists them in Launchy.

Weby Plugin (weby.dll)

Perform Web Searches: Launchy now supports the following search keywords:google, msn, yahoo, live, weather, amazon, wikipedia, dictionary, thesaurus,imdb, netflix, and msdn websearch. Type in any of these keywords, hit tab,type in your search query, and hit enter!

Add custom web searches: Please see the Runny Plugin

Launch Webpages: Type in the url such as ‘www.launchy.net’ or‘ [http://www.launchy.net/ http://www.launchy.net/] ’ and hit enter

Foxy Plugin (foxy.dll)

Bookmarks: The Foxy plugin will automatically load your FireFox bookmarksinto the database. Just search for them as you would applications.

Quick searches: Launchy loads Firefox quick searches and will index thekeyword into the database. Use it like you would a web search.

Calcy Plugin (calcy.dll)

Calculate: Type in some math.. Launchy will figure out what you want to do.Warning: This calculator is limited to +,/,-,* and parenthesis.

Plugin Development

Launchy 2 has a C++ API [ [http://www.launchy.net/api2.0/ Launchy 2 Plugin API] ] for developing extension plugins. Plugins can be developed in order to add new types of objects to the catalog, rather than just shortcut files.

An extension plugin called PyLaunchy [ [http://pylaunchy.sourceforge.net/ PyLaunchy: Python plugins for Launchy] ] allows developing Launchy plugins with the Python programming language.

Bugs and Problems

Launchy 2.0 was thought to be notorious for slowing down the computer because of the catalog refresh function that is claiming 100% CPU usage every 5-10 minutes. However, upgrading to [http://sourceforge.net/forum/forum.php?forum_id=827410 Launchy Beta 2.1] fixes the problem.

Awards

2007

* SourceForge.Net Community Choice Awards, Honorable Mention: Best New Project [cite web | title = SourceForge.Net Community Choice Awards | date = 2007 | url = http://sourceforge.net/community/index.php/landing-pages/cca07/]
* PC World 15 Best Downloads of the Year: Powertools
* CNet Download.Com Top Ten Downloads of the Year

ee also

*Comparison of application launchers

References

External links

*http://www.launchy.net
*SourceForge|name=Launchy|project=Launchy
* [http://mediakey.dk/~cc/launchy-keystroke-application-launcher-windows/ Screencast of Launchy running on Windows XP]
* [http://amarsagoo.info/namely/ Namely] - A free application launcher for Mac OS X