Sell Me Quicksilver...

[peanutismint]

I've read about it so many times, watched so many videos, and heard so many Apple fanboys fawn over it. But I've yet to hear Quicksilver advocated in a way which actually helps me to 'get it'. Maybe I just don't use that many programs which the use of Quicksilver would really benefit from, over say just using them in the normal ways, but I'd really like to have somebody explain it to me, as I feel I might be missing out!

Anybody have anything to say in favour of/against this application?

[psychofreak]

I launch my apps faster than any other way. I control iTunes better than before. I open documents faster than before. I perform actions quickly (Shut down, Restart, Empty trash etc). Its awesome!

[phungy]

psychofreak summed it up well. I love it, I can launch programs quicker instead of finding them in the Applications. Granted I can keep them in the dock but I prefer a 'clean' dock with just the Finder and Trash Bin :D:apple:

[Sean Dempsey]

I launch my apps faster than any other way. I control iTunes better than before. I open documents faster than before. I perform actions quickly (Shut down, Restart, Empty trash etc). Its awesome!

I've read this alot, and I've read the quicksilver website. But this doesn't say exactly HOW you do this?

Like, what are the commands or keystrokes? It's all mystical sounding, but I seriously don't understand the literal "how it works."

[Luis]

I use it, and love it, though I am sure I'm not utilizing even 1% of it's potential.

[phungy]

I've read this alot, and I've read the quicksilver website. But this doesn't say exactly HOW you do this?

Like, what are the commands or keystrokes? It's all mystical sounding, but I seriously don't understand the literal "how it works."

The keystrokes can be customized. Mine is ":apple:~" which brings up the QS search function. Then you proceed to type the application you want. You don't even need to type the whole thing out. QS shows the closest match while showing you 4 other similar matches.

Ex. I want Firefox. I type ":apple:~ F Return" and it selects/launches Firefox.

[rajfantastic]

i use quicksilver instead of spotlight, and i have key commands for my frequently-visited file folders and websites. i use it for basic stuff like:

select item > move to/open with > destination/app

instead of clicking through a ton of finder windows. its pretty incredible once you use it for a while.

[ebel3003]

Quicksilver should not have to be sold. It's a powerful tool, often underestimated, but it will either suit you or it won't.

I consider myself a 'power user' and use this for literally everything. My philosophy is: there should be no reason for me to take my hands off of the keyboard, for anything. Everything should be accessible in some form or another through a series of key commands simply because it's quicker to type than to move the mouse and click.

However, many users will not find this useful because they have grown too accustomed to the interface's buttons and objects. It's an interesting application to get used to initially, but once you do grow accustomed to using key commands like I do (for everything), you will find this application hard to live without.

[peanutismint]

I've read this alot, and I've read the quicksilver website. But this doesn't say exactly HOW you do this?

Like, what are the commands or keystrokes? It's all mystical sounding, but I seriously don't understand the literal "how it works."

I'd have to agree with Sean; what I'm looking for is an 'unbeliever's guide' to Quicksilver (if any website's ever written such a thing!) as I can't understand how keystroke launching of an app could be any quicker than just clicking the dock... But perhaps Quicksilver's about more than just launching?

[SirCrumpet]

quicksilver is one of those things that is simply awesome in every way and that is used constantly but you cant quite put your finger on why.

Just download it and use it for a couple of days, its the only real way to "get it"

[Sean Dempsey]

I've been trying it out, and I do see some potential. But there is alot I can't figure out.

The main thing being - how to search for a file like Spotlight. I have some files, in this case, ninja gaiden 2 screenshots. I want to find where I put them, I know they say "ninja"

so I hit my hotkey, and type "ninja"... and it gives me the text input, and the option is "large text". Not sure why I need HUGE WORDS on my screen, but whatever. Can't figure out how to get it to search right away. I see I can tab over and then use the arrow keys to "search in spotlight", but there's got to be an easier way.

I can see how this could be really useful if you mastered all the triggers and assigned a bunch of custom ones, I just haven't figured it out yet.

[ebel3003]

I've been trying it out, and I do see some potential. But there is alot I can't figure out.

The main thing being - how to search for a file like Spotlight. I have some files, in this case, ninja gaiden 2 screenshots. I want to find where I put them, I know they say "ninja"

so I hit my hotkey, and type "ninja"... and it gives me the text input, and the option is "large text". Not sure why I need HUGE WORDS on my screen, but whatever. Can't figure out how to get it to search right away. I see I can tab over and then use the arrow keys to "search in spotlight", but there's got to be an easier way.

I can see how this could be really useful if you mastered all the triggers and assigned a bunch of custom ones, I just haven't figured it out yet.

What I did is I set up a shortcut to open a quicksilver prompt in text mode and enabled the Spotlight plugin. I can begin typing my term, then hit tab and start typing spotlight. By the time I hit "SP" it highlights the spotlight command I can hit enter to search. It all sounds more complicated than it really is.

Edit: Here's a short video I made to illustrate what I mean.
http://fsandoval.net/upload/qsspot.mov

[chelsel]

If you're a keyboard person then it's a decent app launcher, if you're a mouse person then you will never "get it"... Quicksilver is like a lightweight Spotlight but without the content indexing... it only indexes the file names.

It's a simplistic program that does what it does well, and that's why it's popular. It overcomes one of the biggest weaknesses of the Finder/OS X design, launching applications efficiently without having a million icons in your dock...

[Bow Rekk]

But what's wrong with spotlight? I use that to open most apps.

[invasian]

Quicksilver is free...so I can't sell it to you...sorry.

[psychofreak]

But what's wrong with spotlight? I use that to open most apps.

it can't do this (one of many features of Quicksilver):

http://myskitch.com/psychofreak/mac_forums_-_reply_to_topic-20070912-022104.jpg

[tjevans]

Here's what Lifehacker has to say for beginners. (http://lifehacker.com/software/quicksilver/hack-attack-a-beginners-guide-to-quicksilver-247129.php)

You may also want to try any of the screencasts listed here (http://docs.blacktree.com/quicksilver/tutorials).

Finally, here is what Daring Fireball called the most comprehensive guide to quicksilver (http://mysite.verizon.net/hmelman/Quicksilver.pdf) (in pdf format).

QS is so much more than just a launcher. Once you understand just how to customize it (which really isn't that hard; the guide cited above does a good job of explaining it), you rarely need the mouse. I even use it to remove apps via appzapper.

[jeremy.king]

Here's what Lifehacker has to say for beginners. (http://lifehacker.com/software/quicksilver/hack-attack-a-beginners-guide-to-quicksilver-247129.php)

You may also want to try any of the screencasts listed here (http://docs.blacktree.com/quicksilver/tutorials).

Finally, here is what Daring Fireball called the most comprehensive guide to quicksilver (http://mysite.verizon.net/hmelman/Quicksilver.pdf) (in pdf format).

QS is so much more than just a launcher. Once you understand just how to customize it (which really isn't that hard; the guide cited above does a good job of explaining it), you rarely need the mouse. I even use it to remove apps via appzapper.

+1

I recommend the tutorials from 43 folders, only because I have a Mann crush on Merlin!

[peanutismint]

I even use it to remove apps via appzapper.

Okay, and how is that easier than the regular way of using AppZapper? Can you, for instance, have it open appzapper, zap an app, then close appzapper? See, if that's the sort of thing you can use it for, I might be interested...

For another example, when I download apps, I do several actions the sam every time:


Unzip the package (if necessary)
Mount the DMG file
Drag the app to my Applications folder to install it
Unmount the DMG
Archive the DMG
Delete the original zip package


Is Quicksilver the sort of program that will do all of those actions for me, or is that not how it works?

[ghall]

I used to be a Quicksilver hater. I was like "who needs Quicksilver when there's Spotlight". I finally broke down and tried it, and loved it. It's just one of those things you have to try out for a few days. If you find yourself using it a lot, then keep it, if not, then maybe it's not for you.

I haven't even tapped into the full power of QuickSilver, but I can definitely say it's a great application launcher.

[psychofreak]

peanutismint, YES, YES, and, wait for it YES...

[/dev/toaster]

I have tried QuickSilver a few times now, and quite a few other launchers. Funny thing is, I find they slow me down.

Dunno, just not a big fan of them. Pretty much everyone at work uses it and they laugh that I don't ... *shrug*

[Blubbert]

Quicksilver is hard to explain to someone using words alone, but ill give you an anecdote. My Quicksilver is bound to the twice hit command key. When that stopped working, i felt like i lost controll over the computer. Quicksilver has integrated itself so completely with my workflow that without it i felt like i lacked something as important as a mouse.

[tjevans]

Okay, and how is that easier than the regular way of using AppZapper? Can you, for instance, have it open appzapper, zap an app, then close appzapper? See, if that's the sort of thing you can use it for, I might be interested...

For another example, when I download apps, I do several actions the sam every time:


Unzip the package (if necessary)
Mount the DMG file
Drag the app to my Applications folder to install it
Unmount the DMG
Archive the DMG
Delete the original zip package


Is Quicksilver the sort of program that will do all of those actions for me, or is that not how it works?

When using appzapper, my workflow with quicksilver goes like this

1. invoke qs with my trigger keys
2. type "app" (that's usually enough for qs to guess I mean appzapper)
3. type "op" (that's usually engough for qs to geuss I mean "open file")
4. type enough letters of the application I want to zap for qs to put the app in the target pane.
5. Press enter.

I can do this usually in less than 2 seconds.

You may not be able to use qs to install an app from a zip simply because qs re-scans it's catalog (where you tell it to look for files and apps) every ten minutes. Therefore, it may not yet know the zip exists, but there are ways around even this limitation. I will not go into them here and now because I have to get back to work, but the point is, like any application, there are shortcuts for doing many common activities, and the more you use the app, the more you can discover them.

As someone has aready wrote, if you're a keyboard user, you're more likely to find qs useful than if you were a mouse user.

[yetanotherdave]

When using appzapper, my workflow with quicksilver goes like this

1. invoke qs with my trigger keys
2. type "app" (that's usually enough for qs to guess I mean appzapper)
3. type "op" (that's usually engough for qs to geuss I mean "open file")
4. type enough letters of the application I want to zap for qs to put the app in the target pane.
5. Press enter.

I can do this usually in less than 2 seconds.


I've been using quicksilver for ages, that run through just took me to the next level of usability, thankyou!

[ksmith80209]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 Sprint:MotoQ (compatible; MSIE 4.01; Windows CE; Smartphone; 176x220))

I've found that the real power of QS isn't so much just launching apps, but doing things without first opening apps. For example, when I want to stream a radio station, I could go to Firefox, wait for it to open, go to bookmarks, then load the bookmark OR I can invoke QS and type the first 2 letters of the bookmark and hit enter. Very fast.

The other thing I love doing is using QS to email a doc from my desktop. Instead of going to Entourage, starting a new message, typing the addressee, then finding and attaching the document I want to send, I highlight the doc I want to send, invoke QS, and type 'cur' to get 'current item' then 'ma' to 'mail' it, then 'jo' to mail it to 'john' for example. You can even use comma between addressees to send to multiple recipients.

It took me a week or so (plus reading the aforementioned Merlin docs) to 'get it' but now I couldn't be without it!

[live4ever]

There are also all the web search plugins. Type a word choose wiki, imdb, google, yahoo etc. and the search page opens in the default browser.

[Sptz]

There are some things that I don't understand, I'm a complete newbie at QS and I'm liking it so far, but I can't for example search in spotlight, I should type Spot and it only shows spotlight preference pane... not search function.. what gives?

And for some reason it cant even find my files under Pictures... I have a folder called "Fotos" or "Londres" and I type "Londres" and it shows something that has nothing to do with it.. or it shows "~pictures/londres" I type spot and it opens a window and searches on spotlight and finds nothing ....

[shinji]

I didn't like Quicksilver at first and I forced myself to get in the habit of using it...it learns what you want fairly quickly though...and once it did that and I switched to the bezel interface, I found myself using it a lot more.

Now I can't live without it- I use it for controlling iTunes, too. Much better than a lot of dock items or going into your apps folder.

[numlock]

http://lifehacker.com/software/quicksilver/get-to-know-quicksilver-from-its-maker-296990.php

heres a link to a google tech talk by Nicholas Jitkoff on quicksilver.

I was introduced to quicksilver shortly after i switched to the mac and always was amazed with its functions and possibilities but never really started using it. Im hoping to change that

Question

Is there anyway to create an ical event from an address book contact?

[polycat33]

I don't think you should get anyone to sell you on it, because you will never fully understand it's greatness just by hearing people talk about it. You need to use it yourself. Why not just give it a try? That's what I do with new applications that sound interesting, download it, run it, if I like it I keep it, if not, just delete it.

I felt like I wasn't using it a lot, but then I realized how much I do use it by using computers without it. I found it such a pain to actually go into the applications folder to launch a program that isn't in the dock. Also, I use the triggers for itunes, it lets me change the song, pause, continue, etc from any program by using a short key combo.

The thing with quicksilver is there is SO much it can do, you may never know all of its functions! I know that I can use it to send attachments in emails super fast but I hardly ever do it because I don't remember that I have that ability.

I suggest downloading it, then read that pdf (or start to, it's pretty long and you may want to pace yourself through it) and try out the things that are suggested. You'll probably find yourself using it all the time for application launching and then slowly learning to use it for other functions.

[OldCorpse]

Yes, I also read a lot of hype about QS, so I figure there's got to be something to it. It's just that given my workflow, I've never experienced a need for it so far.

Re: launching apps... 90% of the time, I use the same 20 apps. The ones I use most often - the top 5, I've got on my dock, so it's superfast to get to, and my dock is very sparse otherwise. The other 15 apps I've got sitting in Overflow - so that's just one click, and all 15 icons sit there for me to pick. Also super fast. Finally, for the more rare apps, I got the applications folder in the dock, I right-click the folder, all the apps jump out in alphabetical order and I can pick whatever.

Bottom line: I don't see how QS is faster or more convenient for app launching for MY needs.

Also, most of the work I do, such as film/music editing involves a fair amout of use of the mouse, so I have no problem doing one or two clicks - I don't find QS useful here either, since I still have to invoke it.

Searching for files - Spotlight is good enough for me.

I'm sure there's a lot more to QS, but what can I tell you - I haven't felt a huge void in my life because I don't use it. So... /shrug. Maybe one day I'll fool around with it... but I've been saying that for 2 years now.

[webgoat]

i like using qs for launching the applications i don't have stored on my doc, as well as quickly launching a specific document or photo buried 7 layers deep in the finder... i also use it to easily compose an email message to any one in my address book or attach a file to said email.... my favorite use of quicksilver is simply having control of my itunes while it is minimized and out of sight... so i can be surfing the web writing a paper or whatever and pause, play, or change a song through custom triggers without ever leaving my current window or restoring itunes for that matter.

[tjevans]

There are some things that I don't understand, I'm a complete newbie at QS and I'm liking it so far, but I can't for example search in spotlight, I should type Spot and it only shows spotlight preference pane... not search function.. what gives?

And for some reason it cant even find my files under Pictures... I have a folder called "Fotos" or "Londres" and I type "Londres" and it shows something that has nothing to do with it.. or it shows "~pictures/londres" I type spot and it opens a window and searches on spotlight and finds nothing ....

For a spotlight search in QS, launch QS and type "." This is the "shortcut" for text input. Tab over to the other pane and then type spotlight. You'll get options to show results in finder (my preference), a window, or in the QS command list.

As for your other problem, make sure that your pictures folder is in your catalog. If you're not sure how to do that, PM me and I'll walk you through it.

[Squeak825]

Even if I never used QS to launch any apps, I will always have it on my machine for the 'Extra Scripts' plug-in.

When I am at work, and walk away to go to the bathroom, etc, I want a simple keystroke to lock the computer. On Windows, CTRL-ALT-DELETE, then RETURN was it.

There is no simple command built into OS X to do that. But with QuickSilver, I just now type Option+Space (my command to get to QA), F-A (which brings up 'Fast Logout'), RETURN.

I now have the muscle memory to get my screen locked in 2 seconds -- very nice!

[blvdeast]

To add to the QS Love,

I've been using quicksilver for almost 4 years and it's become a daily part of my computer use.

It does so much without being in the way.

I don't have anything to say that hasn't been said already, except of what I use QS for.

It is the best way to review your clipboard. It remembers my last 20 items and I can scroll through them and paste them somewhere, email it, start an im, open a browser for the link.
Along with the clipboard viewer it has a shelf. Its similar to the clipboard except that its the program storing it, not the os, and the shelf is made to hold a lot of stuff, not only the last one.
idk
I love it and have a hard time using a mac without it.

[iMacBook]

I love QuickSilver. But, I'd love it even more if somebody could help me with this.


Is there a way to search for a files through the entire Finder? I want to be able to launch documents and look at images just by typing some letters in. If anybody knows, that would be awesome. :)

[ebel3003]

I love QuickSilver. But, I'd love it even more if somebody could help me with this.


Is there a way to search for a files through the entire Finder? I want to be able to launch documents and look at images just by typing some letters in. If anybody knows, that would be awesome. :)

If I know what folder a document is in, I usually type the folder name and then hit / followed by the first few letters of a document.

For example, if I have an "Invoice" file in the documents folder I can type: Doc/Inv

[Mechcozmo]

Efficiency. I work less because QuickSilver lets me do more work faster. All the plugins are there, just make them fit you. And then you're set.

[technicolor]

Even if I never used QS to launch any apps, I will always have it on my machine for the 'Extra Scripts' plug-in.

When I am at work, and walk away to go to the bathroom, etc, I want a simple keystroke to lock the computer. On Windows, CTRL-ALT-DELETE, then RETURN was it.

There is no simple command built into OS X to do that. But with QuickSilver, I just now type Option+Space (my command to get to QA), F-A (which brings up 'Fast Logout'), RETURN.

I now have the muscle memory to get my screen locked in 2 seconds -- very nice!

If you have fast user switching on and your username shows up in the corner of your computer. All you have to do is click it and select "login window".

[Evangelion]

+1

I recommend the tutorials from 43 folders, only because I have a Mann crush on Merlin!

The video-podcasts about Quicksilver that he did for MacBreak are really good in order to "get" Quicksilver.

[webgoat]

Is there a way to search for a files through the entire Finder? I want to be able to launch documents and look at images just by typing some letters in. If anybody knows, that would be awesome. :)

Make sure and add all files you wish to search for in your catalogue. I added my itunes music and movies files to the custom tab in the catalogue and can now search for any song via quicksilver. If you add a folder that has folders within it, click on the info button and then in the window you can change the depth so all files within folders within that folder can be searched for.

[invasian]

Even if I never used QS to launch any apps, I will always have it on my machine for the 'Extra Scripts' plug-in.

When I am at work, and walk away to go to the bathroom, etc, I want a simple keystroke to lock the computer. On Windows, CTRL-ALT-DELETE, then RETURN was it.

There is no simple command built into OS X to do that. But with QuickSilver, I just now type Option+Space (my command to get to QA), F-A (which brings up 'Fast Logout'), RETURN.

I now have the muscle memory to get my screen locked in 2 seconds -- very nice!

There's an even quicker way to do this. Just make a trigger for Fast Logout. I have it set to Apple-L. You don't even have to invoke quicksilver. It's done in 0.5 seconds

[iMacBook]

Make sure and add all files you wish to search for in your catalogue. I added my itunes music and movies files to the custom tab in the catalogue and can now search for any song via quicksilver. If you add a folder that has folders within it, click on the info button and then in the window you can change the depth so all files within folders within that folder can be searched for.

Okay. I added a catalog for my entire Pictures folder (see image below).

Nothing is coming up. I relaunched QS, but it still isn't getting an image inside my Pictures folder.

Say I have an image in Pictures/funny pictures/funny pictures called base.jpg. I hit my hotkeys, and I begin typing base. Nothing comes up.

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/9256/picture1uk8.png

[webgoat]

hmmm... did you click the refresh button next to the info button after changing the depth to infinite? you have to rescan after changing it

[dadsp33k]

Quicksilver is free...so I can't sell it to you...sorry.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y137/thegreatzarquon/bwahaharoll.gif

[iMacBook]

hmmm... did you click the refresh button next to the info button after changing the depth to infinite? you have to rescan after changing it

Wow. I feel stupid. It works now. I was wondering what that little icon did too.

Well, now I know.

Quick question, how would I setup a trigger to get the Preferences up for QS?

[webgoat]

Quick question, how would I setup a trigger to get the Preferences up for QS?

I think by default once you open the command interface hitting command ' will open the preference window... if you want to make it one step shorter then open preferences and go to the triggers tab... click on the + at the bottom select hot key and then type in pref in the interface and it should bring up QS preferences as one of the options, select it and then hit save.... then hit the info button at the bottom and input your desired command in the hot key spot... i just set mine to option command p

[iMacBook]

I think by default once you open the command interface hitting command ' will open the preference window... if you want to make it one step shorter then open preferences and go to the triggers tab... click on the + at the bottom select hot key and then type in pref in the interface and it should bring up QS preferences as one of the options, select it and then hit save.... then hit the info button at the bottom and input your desired command in the hot key spot... i just set mine to option command p

The QS preference thing won't come up.

[webgoat]

The QS preference thing won't come up.

I took a pic of my preference pane with my qs preference trigger. Should look like this

[iMacBook]

No, the actual preference thing won't come up. Not the QS Preferences screen, but when I type pref, nothing comes up.

[webgoat]

No, the actual preference thing won't come up. Not the QS Preferences screen, but when I type pref, nothing comes up.

try typing in qs and then scroll through the results... otherwise its not in your catalogue for some reason.... yeah you have to go to catalogue and click on the quicksilver tab on the left and make sure all sources are checked and then scan... then i believe the qs preference can be found in the interface

qs preferences is in the first one - internal commands

[iMacBook]

try typing in qs and then scroll through the results... otherwise its not in your catalogue for some reason.... yeah you have to go to catalogue and click on the quicksilver tab on the left and make sure all sources are checked and then scan... then i believe the qs preference can be found in the interface

qs preferences is in the first one - internal commands

There we go! Thank you.