Launch Bars: Three Options to Up Your Efficiency

Sometimes, it takes forever to find a file, even if you work on it regularly and know exactly where you saved it. Even with the search tool, you can wind up spending a lot of time on a project before you even get the file open. There's a simple tool that can help you eliminate this problem, though: a launch bar, also known as a launch tool. Just by hitting a keyboard shortcut and typing the first few letters of a file or application name, you can have your computer automatically find and load whatever you need to get your work done.

Many launch bars also incorporate other tools as well. Some can double as calculators, run searches or even post to Twitter. All the major launch bars currently available are free. Most have some level of open development, which means that users are regularly creating new plug-ins to work with the launch bars and extend their usefulness.

Google Quick Search Box

One of the most versatile launch bars comes from Google. The Google Quick Search Box automatically catalogs the files and applications on your computer, allowing you to search for them by keywords - just as you would search for something on Google's website. You can also conduct Google searches from the launch bar, as well as open websites you've bookmarked just like you open documents.

The Mac version of the Google Quick Search Box has some special features, such as being able to search for contacts in your address book, but the tool is available for Windows. You can also add plug-ins to the launch bar, allowing you to customize your computer so that you can handle tasks like posting to Twitter straight from your launch bar.

Quicksilver

Quicksilver is one of the better known launch tools. Though only available for Mac, Quicksilver can allow you to handle a long list of tasks with simple keyboard shortcuts. On top of the standard ability to search for files and applications - and open them immediately - Quicksilver also offers a list of additional commands. You can use it to compose email, move files to the trash or even queue up an album in iTunes.

You may find that getting Quicksilver set up and handling the tasks you want it to takes a little more time than other options; most of its unusual abilities require specific plug-ins and some can take a little time to configure to match your own choices for handling email and other tasks. Once it's set up, though, you can handle just about anything you can think of quickly and efficiently.

Launchy

For Windows or Linux, Launchy can be a good choice for a launch bar. Before you even start adding plug-ins, the launch bar will allows you to index your computer and launch music and videos as well as other file formats. You'll also be able to search Google, Wikipedia, MSN and Yahoo from your keyboard. There are plug-ins that can make Launchy more useful if you use Firefox to manage your bookmarks and web browsing, as well as a plug-in that allows you to use Launchy as a calculator.

While Launchy is a little older than its counterparts, you can download a wide variety of upgrades for it. You can even download designs known as "skins" that will turn your launch bar into a work of art.