Start > Run in a mac?

[qtip919]

Hi,

Im new to the mac world, just bought my first powerbook ...despite the potential updates this next month... ;)

anyhoo-

I do something very, very frequently on a pc, and I would like to do the same thing on a mac ...

that is; I like to hit the "windows button" + 'R' which brings up the "run" dialog box...from there, I type the app name of that which I want to run...the reason for doing this is that I do not like to "mouse" my way to apps...I find it tideous. The dock is great and all, but I do not want to clutter it up with the 10 or so random apps that I use on top of all the serious apps that I like (iLife, Word, safari, itunes, etc, etc etc)

So, is there any equivilant in the mac world?

Lately, Ive been just using spotlight and selecting the app from the results...this is close, but still need to mouse to the app and double-click in this scenario...

Thanks in advance!

[Applespider]

Get a copy of Quicksilver - it's even faster than Start-Run

You hit Ctrl Space, it pops up a box and you start typing. Within a few characters, your app will be listed and off you go. It can also do other clever stuff like creating archives, emailing files to people etc.

[Veldek]

Perhaps you should have a Terminal window always open and use this. Or put it into your dock and start it when you need something.

[Chundles]

Spotlight.

[orkle]

Lately, Ive been just using spotlight and selecting the app from the results...this is close, but still need to mouse to the app and double-click in this scenario...

Use Spotlight (Cmd + Space), type in the name of the app, then use Cmd + Enter to open the top match on the list of results...

[snickelfritz]

Add the 10 or so applications to your login options.
OSX can keep them running in the background with virtually no system performance or stability degradation.
Command-tab to access them.

[Sharewaredemon]

Use Spotlight (Cmd + Space), type in the name of the app, then use Cmd + Enter to open the top match on the list of results...

This will be your equivalent to Start Run, in case you didn't know, spotlight finds more than just applications, and it a very powerful, and quick desktop search tool.

Also, cmd, stands for command, which is the key with the Apple on it.

[rainman::|:|]

The dock is meant to hold your 10-20 most frequently used apps. That's probably your best bet.

[MisterMe]

Hi,

Im new to the mac world, just bought my first powerbook ...despite the potential updates this next month... ;)

anyhoo-

I do something very, very frequently on a pc, and I would like to do the same thing on a mac ...

that is; I like to hit the "windows button" + 'R' which brings up the "run" dialog box...from there, I type the app name of that which I want to run...the reason for doing this is that I do not like to "mouse" my way to apps...I find it tideous. The dock is great and all, but I do not want to clutter it up with the 10 or so random apps that I use on top of all the serious apps that I like (iLife, Word, safari, itunes, etc, etc etc)

So, is there any equivilant in the mac world?

Lately, Ive been just using spotlight and selecting the app from the results...this is close, but still need to mouse to the app and double-click in this scenario...

Thanks in advance!I suppose that I could make a joke and Windows and the START button, but I won't.

Advice: You have now invested in a Macintosh. You should learn how to use your Macintosh. You are missing out on a lot by trying to transform your Macintosh into a Windows machine. It will take a few days, but you when you get up to speed, you will wonder why you ever used Windows.

[quidire]

I suppose that I could make a joke and Windows and the START button, but I won't.

Advice: You have now invested in a Macintosh. You should learn how to use your Macintosh. You are missing out on a lot by trying to transform your Macintosh into a Windows machine. It will take a few days, but you when you get up to speed, you will wonder why you ever used Windows.

I agree only to a point.

qtip919, you should learn how to use the Macintosh in ways that accentuate its strengths, or you are cheating yourself. However, you hardly owe some god of platform orthodoxy a particular pattern of behavior.

Having a key command to call up a "run application" dialogue is a good thing. Apple's provided answer is Spotlight (Command-Space), it's meta-data aware search tool. I would suggest you use that to find files but not as an application launcher. For that (and so much more!) look to Quicksilver. It is free. It's default keybinding is Cntl-Space.

You can find Quicksilver at http://quicksilver.blacktree.com/

[Sharewaredemon]

I agree only to a point.

qtip919, you should learn how to use the Macintosh in ways that accentuate its strengths, or you are cheating yourself. However, you hardly owe some god of platform orthodoxy a particular pattern of behavior.

Having a key command to call up a "run application" dialogue is a good thing. Apple's provided answer is Spotlight (Command-Space), it's meta-data aware search tool. I would suggest you use that to find files but not as an application launcher. For that (and so much more!) look to Quicksilver. It is free. It's default keybinding is Cntl-Space.

You can find Quicksilver at http://quicksilver.blacktree.com/


Why shouldn't he use spotlight to launch applications?
I do, and it doesn't bother me.

[Applespider]

Why shouldn't he use spotlight to launch applications?
I do, and it doesn't bother me.

The OP said that he didn't find launching them with Spotlight was what he wanted which is why I suspect Quicksilver has been mentioned.

I tried launching apps via Spotlight but I find Quicksilver more efficient for doing so since you can limit its searches to just the apps and widget folders which means it's quicker than Spotlight which is searching everything.

[atszyman]

The OP said that he didn't find launching them with Spotlight was what he wanted which is why I suspect Quicksilver has been mentioned.

I tried launching apps via Spotlight but I find Quicksilver more efficient for doing so since you can limit its searches to just the apps and widget folders which means it's quicker than Spotlight which is searching everything.

He didn't like spotlight because he thinks it requires a mouse-over.

There are two ways around this.

Cmd+space, search, navigate with arrow keys, Cmd+enter, Cmd+o. It's a few keystrokes but it'll get you there without touching the mouse.

Cmd+option+space search, tab, navigate with arrow keys, Cmd+o.

Ideally you would be able to use Cmd+o from the menu but it doesn't work on my machine. Cmd+return simply shows me the item in the Finder, which still requires Cmd+o to launch.

[JonMaker]

Put an alias (shortcut) to your applications folder in your dock.

Click on it to open it in the finder and type the first few letters of the app you want (to select), then hit cmd+down arrow (to launch).

Alternately, ctrl-click on the alias to see a list of your apps.

This will work with any folder, BTW.

[gekko513]

Why cmd+enter or cmd+o?

I just do

cmd-space, search, arrow-down, enter

[mrzeve]

Cant you just put the Applications folder in your Dock and right click it and see all the files inside?

Its what I do..

[fanbrain]

command+space. That's how you activate spotlight without touching your mouse; then arrow down to the application.

[wheezy]

personally I like command+space+bark like a cat and then , after all is said and done, go to the dock.

Hehe...reading this forum is totally geek-talk, it's awesome.

[Sharewaredemon]

Why cmd+enter or cmd+o?

I just do

cmd-space, search, arrow-down, enter


I was going to say that.

Sorry Applespider I didn't catch that from the OP.


Isn't it funny that there are two post that are 1 post apart that say the same thing?

Hmmmmm.

[~Shard~]

Spotlight, Quicksilver and Terminal should be able to accomplish everything you want to do!

[ChrisBrightwell]

Advice: You have now invested in a Macintosh. You should learn how to use your Macintosh. You are missing out on a lot by trying to transform your Macintosh into a Windows machine. It will take a few days, but you when you get up to speed, you will wonder why you ever used Windows.
Y'know ... this is an "suggestion" that I really get tired of around here.

Most Windows power users make heavy use of Win+R to pull up the "Run ..." dialog box and do some tasks quickly and easily. Spotlight works, but it's not as fast for 99% of the tasks that I do with "Run ...".

I've thought about building an OS X native app to emulate Win+R but haven't committed to it. It would be my first OS X app, though, so there's some motivation. :)

[me_94501]

I strongly recommend Quicksilver. I swear by it for quickly launching apps.

[qtip919]

ChrisBrightwell

If you code up a Win+R solution for the mac, I would be your first customer ;)

Seriously, these are all great suggestions, especially the idea of keeping the application folder on my dock...I didnt know you could do that, and its working great now for me...I can safely minimize the number of dock items...just a personal preference thing, I dont like a cluttered dock -- also, I checked out Quicksilver...this is not exactly what I am looking for...which is, an instant way to launch an app...What would be especially cool is a widget living on my desktop...

Anyways, I think most of y'all are missing the point of the benefit of Win+R...

1. This involves only 2 small steps, which in my opinion is the easiest way to run apps that you use, but do not want running in the background (which is my point)..."a key-combination, and entering the name of the app"

2. In the variant of using spotlight, I still need to do one more step - and, as I alluded to earlier, it is what I am CURRENTLY doing now...

3. Using spotlight as a 'Win+R' solution is very much like using a sledgehammer to tap in a thumb tack...

The point of the 'Win+R' feature is that it is a lightweight, simple app that allows you to not only run an app, but also do things like launch web pages, run commands, etc, etc...

Spotlight is another feature entirely, and was designed for completely differnet tasks...I also assert that just because Macs have their own strengths does not mean that a really useful feature on one platform would not work as well on another. Im sure that this same feature would do wonders on a mac

Think of it this way; (back to my idea of a 'win+r' widget on the desktop...what if you combined the simplicity of the 'Win+R' functionality with automator...allowing you to run 5 step processes and recieve results simply by key'ing in some abstract command...the possibilities for instantly running an app, song, picture viewer, etc should be endless...

want to know the movie times, sure you could use a widget, or you could simply type in the command "movies in seattle at 5:00pm"

want to know the weather in atlanta on thursday? type in forecast: atlanta 7/28/2005

Its all about doing something with as little effort as possible (I know, this sounds lazy)...that is the general idea behind widgets and the many ideas that have preceeded widgets that do basically the same thing: bring information to you instead of going after the information you need...

[gekko513]

Well, you claimed that you had to mouse to the application and double-click when using Spotlight, which isn't true.

Personally I don't see any advantage win Win+r over Spotlight, and I use them both since I have to work on a Windows computer. I find Spotlight more efficient except for Win+r cmd, because cmd is only three letters. With Spotlight I need only four keys (or less) of the app name, where as with Win+r, I often need to type a lengthy command, like notepad, for instance. Each to his own, I guess.

Edit: Using Spotlight to launch applications is NOT using a sledgehammer to tap in a thumb tack. Spotlight is excellent for launching applications and it was designed to be, why would search results in the Application folder be the first priority if not?

[ChrisBrightwell]

ChrisBrightwell

If you code up a Win+R solution for the mac, I would be your first customer ;)
That's almost a motivator. PM me and we'll talk about this offline.

[ChrisBrightwell]

Personally I don't see any advantage win Win+r over Spotlight, and I use them both since I have to work on a Windows computer.Were you a Mac user first?

Most Windows-to-Mac migrations that I know (all hacker/poweruser types) miss Win+R dearly.

[Mechcozmo]

Drag and drop your Applications folder into the Dock.

Drag and drop any app you open a lot (aka, enough that it is a pain to go any other way to open it BUT for the dock) to the Dock.

Use Spotlight and arrow keys+enter key.

Don't worry about cluttering up your Dock. Add stuff and if you realize you aren't using something... take it out! Simple as that. But I add stuff whenever I realize I'm annoyed that it takes too long to open without a single click.

[gekko513]

Were you a Mac user first?

Most Windows-to-Mac migrations that I know (all hacker/poweruser types) miss Win+R dearly.
Windows user first. So I'll push your survey one notch towards "Some Windows-to-Mac ..." ;)

[gekko513]

As for coding a Win+R solution ... I have one question. How can an application capture keyboard shortcuts when it isn't key (key as in makeKeyAndOrderFront: )? Is it possible? I have been wondering about that myself.

[NicP]

As for coding a Win+R solution ... I have one question. How can an application capture keyboard shortcuts when it isn't key (key as in makeKeyAndOrderFront: )? Is it possible? I have been wondering about that myself.

whats wrong with using quicksilver?

[atszyman]

Why cmd+enter or cmd+o?

I just do

cmd-space, search, arrow-down, enter

Learn something new everyday. Thanks.

Since I don't usually launch apps via Spotlight due to usually having all of my apps open or in the Dock, I was mislead by the post quoted below. Never thought to try just Enter.

Use Spotlight (Cmd + Space), type in the name of the app, then use Cmd + Enter to open the top match on the list of results...

[kainjow]

Ok well here you go. I got inspired too by this thread to tinker and create an app that emulates Window's Run command:

http://www.kainjow.com/downloads/RunMacRun.zip

You need to set a hot key first via the File menu. I chose command-option-R, but you can choose something else. Then once the Run window comes up, you can:

Enter an application name to launch it
Enter any type of URL that the system is registered to handle, and the associated application will be activated with that URL (i.e. http, mailto, aim, whatever)
Enter "cmd" to open a new Terminal window
Click "Browse" to select a program manually (not really sure the point of this... but I wanted to make it work as similarly as the Windows version)


Email me or post here with comments: kainjow at kainjow dot com

Enjoy!

[Kerry Sanders]

I agree with other posts here. Get QuckSilver. You can hit two keys and it pops up a window where you launch an application. The nice thing about QuickSilver is that it "learns" and you can launch things like GarageBand with just two characters. I launch it with "GB".

[yellow]

Open -a Safari

[qtip919]

Well, you claimed that you had to mouse to the application and double-click when using Spotlight, which isn't true.

Personally I don't see any advantage win Win+r over Spotlight, and I use them both since I have to work on a Windows computer. I find Spotlight more efficient except for Win+r cmd, because cmd is only three letters. With Spotlight I need only four keys (or less) of the app name, where as with Win+r, I often need to type a lengthy command, like notepad, for instance. Each to his own, I guess.

Edit: Using Spotlight to launch applications is NOT using a sledgehammer to tap in a thumb tack. Spotlight is excellent for launching applications and it was designed to be, why would search results in the Application folder be the first priority if not?

Hmm, well that's one way to look at it...however, if you understand the complexity of what it would take to develop a search engine on the desktop vs. the simplicity of a tiny, tiny little app like 'win+r'...well, you get my point...

desktop search is not an app launcher and the clever way that Apple has enabled applications to be a "category" is simply meant to distinguish apps from any other file type since they are their own category of information.

Im not sure if I can clarify this further: Spotlight first; locates and second; allows me to run the application. In the 'win+r' instance, I am neither searching for an application or trying to find many results related to the application. I am simply instantly running the app. I know the name, I know the command, I know the location, I dont need the computer to find anything, only to execute a command instantly...

[thatjeffguy]

shift-command-A opens application folder
type in first few letters of application name - app will be highlighted
command-O to launch the app

[andysmith]

Quicksilver - I have mine set up so I can just tap ctrl twice, then I could type 'grgbd', 'gb', or 'garageband' to launch GarageBand.app. Then hit enter and it launches it.

[wrc fan]

I don't get why you Windows converts are against Quicksilver. You can set it up to be just as quick as the windows run command. You really ought to give it a shot before knocking it and trying to create your own utility.

[quidire]

I don't get why you Windows converts are against Quicksilver. You can set it up to be just as quick as the windows run command. You really ought to give it a shot before knocking it and trying to create your own utility.

I don't know if I count as a Windows convert (I switched 9 months ago, and while I had been using Windows for about a year at that point, I'd used Linux for maybe 5 years prior to that), but Quicksilver is a basic requirement for me to use a Mac. I install it on all my friends' Macs as a prerequisite to any aid from me.

Quicksilver is the Start>>Run replacement - and of course can do so much more. Does anyone have that link to the Backpackit/Quicksilver workflow demo?

-RS

[mkrishnan]

Windows user first. So I'll push your survey one notch towards "Some Windows-to-Mac ..." ;)

I'm with Gekko... I was a Windows user before a Mac user (but an Amiga user before a Windows user) and I really don't miss it. I sometimes do keep a terminal shell running in the background to play with a couple of things, but the only things I used win-R for were things that didn't have readily available shortcuts and weren't used that frequently, such as winipcfg (which I usually had to use because of a failure to acquire a net connection :rolleyes: ) and regedit (which I do *not* miss! :)).

[gekko513]

Hmm, well that's one way to look at it...however, if you understand the complexity of what it would take to develop a search engine on the desktop vs. the simplicity of a tiny, tiny little app like 'win+r'...well, you get my point...

desktop search is not an app launcher and the clever way that Apple has enabled applications to be a "category" is simply meant to distinguish apps from any other file type since they are their own category of information.

Im not sure if I can clarify this further: Spotlight first; locates and second; allows me to run the application. In the 'win+r' instance, I am neither searching for an application or trying to find many results related to the application. I am simply instantly running the app. I know the name, I know the command, I know the location, I dont need the computer to find anything, only to execute a command instantly...

Well, but my guess is that you use Firefox, Safari or IE to browse the web instead of Lynx and that you use a graphical mail client instead of pine or mutt. All these applications use a lot more system resources than necessary to perform most of the tasks you want them to do, but they are also more flexible and helps you do advanced functions easily.

Sometimes you remember the exact name of what you want to launch or open, sometimes you're not sure. It's nice to be able to do everything in one powerful tool.

And I don't understand the argument about the development complexity of spotlight vs. Win+r. I don't have to develop either one of these. I'm just going to use them, and they're both already developed and available to me.

The only argument I can easily see against Spotlight is the second of lag until your app pops up as the topmost search result. I'm not that impatient, so for me it has little impact on my preference.

[Heb1228]

I don't understand what the big problem is here. Quicksilver has already been mentioned and Butler does the same thing as Quicksilver plus some other stuff. They are both free. Both can be set up to do EXACTLY what the run command does.

With Butler, for example, I hit Option-Space, D, V, D, enter and DVD player starts. A window appears if you pause, but you don't even have to wait on the window.

This question has been answered several times now. Quicksilver or Butler can both be configured to do exactly what you're asking.

[gekko513]

I don't think there's a problem anymore. We just like to discuss things ;)

[Kerry Sanders]

Quicksilver - I have mine set up so I can just tap ctrl twice, then I could type 'grgbd', 'gb', or 'garageband' to launch GarageBand.app. Then hit enter and it launches it.

Convert here and this convert is not against it. I love QuickSilver. It is probably the application that I use the most on my Mac, relative to its function. :D

[ChrisBrightwell]

*shrug* I tried QuickSilver and hated it. I guess that makes me weird.

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

One handy shortcut to access the dock is ctrl-F3 (remember the fn if you're on a 'Book). This, if enabled in System Preferences -> Keyboard & Mouse -> Keyboard Shourtcuts, will highlight the last use item in the Dock. You can navigate with the arrow keys and start/open any item's using Enter. This combined with putting the Application Folder in the Dock, as mentioned before, will give you access to start all the apps with a few keystrokes (when you've pulled up a list with the arrows you can type the first letter(s) of the item you're looking for)...

[Applespider]

For those who went and looked at Quicksilver but might have been put off by the minimalist website, here's a great blog entry on how Quicksilver changes everything (http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/02/18/quicksilver-changes-everything/)

I found it earlier today and it's already shown me a few new things that QS can do. It's now flashing up album art notifications of the next song in iTunes for me. And the clipboard history and shelf functionality are going to be incredibly useful!

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

For those who went and looked at Quicksilver but might have been put off by the minimalist website, here's a great blog entry on how Quicksilver changes everything (http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/02/18/quicksilver-changes-everything/) I tried QS a long time ago, and back then it felt very unfinished (since it's still beta, that might not come as a surprise), but I tried it again yesterday, on your recommendation :), and I agree, QS looks very good, now...

It might just as well be a permanent feature on my iBook... ;)

[mkrishnan]

Back to the Win-R thing... :D

Has anyone noticed, that if you have Terminal running, even if there is no open term window, that you can click on the dock icon of terminal and get an execute command window, much like Win-R? Can a hotkey be applied to that?

The only downfall is, that unless you have paths set up intelligently, the command to execute an app (which is what it sounded like the OP wanted) will be difficult, because you would need to say something like "open /applications/safari.app"

But still, it's actually very, very close to what the OP wanted. All you need is a hotkey. :)

[G wizz]

you will wonder why you ever used Windows.[/QUOTE]


here,here

[qtip919]

ok,

I now have QS installed, and it appears to me that this is a search + app launcher, and indeed is very nice...(and customizable too!)

However,

I still feel that people are missing the point of my original request.

I want an app that TELLS my computer to do something, not something that allows me to look up, by name an item and (potentially) launch something. I am simply looking to execute commands against an open text feild. No search, no auto-complete. Very lightweight, very simplistic.

And while I will likely use both spotlight and QS to accomplish these tasks, I still cant help feeling like I am using some VERY powerful tools to accomplish something much more simple...

[mkrishnan]

I want an app that TELLS my computer to do something, not something that allows me to look up, by name an item and (potentially) launch something. I am simply looking to execute commands against an open text feild. No search, no auto-complete. Very lightweight, very simplistic.

What do you think of my suggestion, a couple of replies up?

There is a keyboard shortcut -- option-shift-n, but I guess you have to have Terminal active to do it from the keyboard. But it seems like there's probably a clever way to accomplish that.

But also, welcome to OS X. OS X is good at having good ways of accomplishing things. It has never been good at doing things your way. :rolleyes:

[qtip919]

What do you think of my suggestion, a couple of replies up?

There is a keyboard shortcut -- option-shift-n, but I guess you have to have Terminal active to do it from the keyboard. But it seems like there's probably a clever way to accomplish that.

But also, welcome to OS X. OS X is good at having good ways of accomplishing things. It has never been good at doing things your way. :rolleyes:


yes indeed...very close...

and getting this close is as good as I should expect for something that is totally platform unique.

However, I am now getting a clear picture of the kind of interest in this feature and I have some neat ideas now on how this can be expanded upon...

thanks to all who contributed to this discussion!