Any launch bars better than spotlight?

[MacBH928]

I do not need to do over complex things, but Spotlight's problem is that it does not allow me to arrange the results as I want or call which type I want. For example when I want to define a word the results, I have to scroll to the bottom where the definitions are.

I used to use Alfred which was good but I think it did not find/search files as good as Spotlight. Quicksilver is out of development IIRC, and I never tried LaunchBar.

 

[Weaselboy]

I used to use Alfred which was good but I think it did not find/search files as good as Spotlight.

I use Alfred and Alfred actually uses the Spotlight database for file search, so unless you have configured Alfred to limit search (there are some settings for that), it should find everything Spotlight does.

I find Alfred much more flexible for this kind of thing. Rather that just allowing me to open the file like Spotlight, I get a long list of options that can act on my search result.

 

[MacBH928]

I use Alfred and Alfred actually uses the Spotlight database for file search, so unless you have configured Alfred to limit search (there are some settings for that), it should find everything Spotlight does.

I find Alfred much more flexible for this kind of thing. Rather that just allowing me to open the file like Spotlight, I get a long list of options that can act on my search result.

View attachment 871132

have you tried LaunchBar? I wanted to see if there is a comparison between the two.

Also, does Alfred run as an "APP" or does it need to install files all around the system?

 

[Weaselboy]

have you tried LaunchBar? I wanted to see if there is a comparison between the two.

Also, does Alfred run as an "APP" or does it need to install files all around the system?

I used LaunchBar a few years back. I want to say around V3. I switched to Alfred as it seemed to have better support for addons (Alfred calls them Workflow). I have not gone back to look an LB since then.

Yes... Alfred is a stand alone app. It of course installs some preference files like any app. I think they have a free trial if you want to try it out.

Edit: LOL, I just checked my serial number records and I last used LB in 2009. I guess my memory is not what it used to be.

LaunchBar 3.0
xxx

LaunchBar 4.0 (March 1, 2008)

xxx

Launchbar 5.0 April 2, 2009

xxx

 

[MacBH928]

I used LaunchBar a few years back. I want to say around V3. I switched to Alfred as it seemed to have better support for addons (Alfred calls them Workflow). I have not gone back to look an LB since then.

Yes... Alfred is a stand alone app. It of course installs some preference files like any app. I think they have a free trial if you want to try it out.

Edit: LOL, I just checked my serial number records and I last used LB in 2009. I guess my memory is not what it used to be.

LaunchBar 3.0
xxx

LaunchBar 4.0 (March 1, 2008)

xxx

Launchbar 5.0 April 2, 2009

xxx

Sorry to bother you , are there any advantages to using Spotlight search over Alfred? Do you lose anything by using Alfred?

 

[honestone33]

I use the excellent freeware program EasyFind (https://www.devontechnologies.com/apps/freeware), and it works very, very well (and is compatible with Catalina). I've also heard that Find Any File (it's shareware), available from the App Store, is good too.

 

[Weaselboy]

Sorry to bother you , are there any advantages to using Spotlight search over Alfred? Do you lose anything by using Alfred?

Not at all... Alfred uses the Spotlight index, so you see the same results. You can still use Spotlight if you like also. I have Alfred set to command-spacebar and Spotlight to option-spacebar.