Nonsense. Pin the apps folder to your dock and it is 1 click away. Organise your apps within the folder how you wish (the whole reason behind having self-contained apps you can freely move). Just like launchpad. Throughout all my time using OS X and not using launchpad, I have never found it hard.
Launchpad does nothing but fragment the way applications can be managed in OS X. It was added for the benefit of iOS users so there is some familiarity between OS X and iOS. But overall, not really needed one bit.
Why would I set something up to be just like launchpad rather than just use launchpad. You've said a few times you haven't given it a chance. Maybe you should. Or don't. The thread was asking for ways to get the feature on older OSes, not to argue whether he needed it or not.
Too often I see people challenging someone whether or not they need a specific feature, rather than just helping them get what they want.
Also, having some commonality with iOS isn't necessarily a bad thing if it works great, and is mouse/keyboard friendly (which it is, compared to Metro). Apple realized they had overlooked a way to see every app on your Mac regardless of it's location, and filled the void. Don't like it, don't use it. Don't tell me the rest of the world doesn't need it though, or that it's useless. I see it as a waaay better version of a start menu. In your mind it's a dumbing down of the OS. Use it and you'll realize you're wrong. Or like I said, don't.
OP: I don't believe there is another solution. The only one I'm aware of is MacLaunchpad and it's oddly intel only. I really hope a developer out there whips something up though for PPC users.
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They may have not literally said it, but I think the fact that they stated OS X Lion would bring iOS features to OS X (which it did), it is clear Apple were attempting to make their PCs more appealing to their mobile user base.
Apple also put us at ease by saying they have no intention of going overboard with this like MS did with Windows 8. I do have to say though that I was previously worried about the iOSification of OS X, especially being required to work with Windows 8 a lot, but I do believe Apple will only throw things in where they belong (like launchpad).