11:04AM
Launchbar Review
I'll admit I'm just a little bit crazy about Quicksilver. I've used it, tweaked it, and even produced screencasts about it. But as much as I like Quicksilver, I also like things that are new and shiny. So a few months ago, when the latest version of LaunchBar was released in beta, I decided to do an experiment and use it exclusively for a few months. Now that I've thoroughly kicked the tires, it is time to report in.
LaunchBar begins as an application launcher. In this respect, it is no different from Spotlight or Quicksilver. The process of launching applications is painless with LaunchBar. You start typing and the application appears. You can hit return to launch it or, better yet, hit the space bar and it gives you a list of the most recent documents opened with the application. Using this tweak you can get your file open quickly.
LaunchBar offers a great deal more however. You can access your address book and quickly start an email or display a contact's phone number on your screen. One nice touch is that it actually lists the person's name along with the number. This is an improvement over Quicksilver.
You can also easily search and play iTunes by genre, album, or composer. You can also search Safari history or dig straight into the file system.
Using the dot command you can enter a web site directly into LaunchBar and open it with one keystroke. You can also do a Google search simply by typing "goo", hiting the space bar, typing your search term and then enter. Once you get it, you will be working much quicker. This same method is used to search other sites like Wikipedia, Google Images, and iTunes.
You can also manipulate, move, and rename files. You can even create and name folders. It has a nifty clipboard that allows you to keep a running log of clipped links, text, and other assets. There is also a simple way to add new iCal events direct from the LaunchBar command line. If you use iCal to-dos you can program those as well.
So how does all this fancy gadgetry stack up against my beloved Quicksilver? Actually pretty well. Using LaunchBar you are trading in some of the high end Quicksilver commands for stability. I've had troubles keeping Quicksilver running as of late and in the two months I've ran LaunchBar (mostly in beta), it has never crashed on me.
While the LaunchBar command line is very functional, I wish it was customizable like the interface in Quicksilver. I miss my cubes. Also, LaunchBar is a paid applicaiton, 24 Euros ($32 as of this writing). While I do miss some functions from Quicksilver, I think some of the features improve upon Quicksilver and it is definitely more stable. I know Quicksilver is open source now and it may get new life but for the time being. I'm sticking with LaunchBar. You can get a 30 day trial of LaunchBar from Obective Development at www.obdev.at.
You can listen to this review on MacReviewCast #209
Reader Comments (6)
Y've come down where I have. After using Quicksilver for some time I started using LaunchBar circa 3 mos. ago. I've purchased it and have said goodbye to Quicksiilver.
Ditto; but for me the change took place about a year ago. QS just kept crashing on me and was too undependable. I've never had a crash with LB, even with all the beta versions.
David: kudos to you. I just want you to know that I eagerly await your posts. I cannot say that about most blogs I follow. Keep up the great work!
google quick search box
need I say more...
They guy who programmed QS is working on the project!!
Make sure to check the Forums for scripts to make LB even more useful (add spotlight tags, tweet, use as timer ...).
http://forums.obdev.at/viewforum.php?f=24
First, this blog is excellent. Clearly written and informative. Launchbar is an excellent program. The only thing I'd like to see is a user manual that I can print out and browse at my leisure. I know it's available online, but a pdf version would be welcome.
the amount of leeway google provides to temporary employees, like the developer of QS, working on projects, is EXTREMELY MINIMAL. Hes there almost as a consultant, to give ideas, He has NO say in what gets incorporated and what doesn't. So to say "the guy that made quicksilver is working on Google quick search" holds no weight. It doesn't mean anything that hes there, I guarantee you will never see any huge similarities between google quick search and QS. They didn't put him in charge of anything and say "Create" LMAO.