If you have used Macs for any significant period of time, you’ve heard of Quicksilver. In fact, you probably use it. If you don’t know what it is, I’ll tell you: it’s an application launcher, system searcher, and much more. However, there are a few problems with it: it’s ugly, it’s slow, and it’s not in development anymore.
Personally, I never liked Quicksilver… and to be honest, the nonsensical fans of Quicksilver seem to be stuck in the stone age. The bottom line is that Quicksilver did not assist me, slowed down both of my Macs, and didn’t provide a compelling reason to use it- let alone a competitive edge. If there are any Quicksilver fans reading this, let me know why you use(d) the program- especially if you still do. The single-minded message I’d leave in regards to Quicksilver is: features aren’t worth a flip if they don’t work right (or at all).
Meet Alfred.
Alfred is your new personal butler… your new best friend… your find-everything-anytime-application. Okay, maybe I am acting like it’s more than it is. The fact of the matter is that Alfred works well. Although it was just released on March 1st, 2010, the beta is quite solid. What I really like about this application is that it has a nice Facebox feel to it, it’s lightweight (never using more than 10MBs of RAM), it’s fast, and it’s new. Why did I mention “new?” Because with an app this solid, and only one week old, it’s on track to easily replace Quicksilver or Launchy for Mac.
So what exactly can you do with this little jewel of an application? Let’s hear it from the developers themselves:
Alfred is a quicklaunch application for Mac OS X, which aims to save you time in searching your local computer and the web. Whether it’s maps, Amazon, eBay, Wikipedia, you can feed your web addiction quicker than ever before.
- Increase your productivity by launching apps with shortcuts
- Quicker access to web searches, bookmarks & more
- Be the first to identify “that guy” in a movie with speedy IMDB search
- Ward off RSI – skip using the mouse with easy shortcuts
- Best of all, it’s FREE!
So, let’s recap. Alfred is fast, sexy, lightweight, useful, and has a sexy icon. As a web designer who uses all sorts of cool applications, launching new programs quick and fast is very useful.
But Jeremy, why not just use Apple’s built-in Spotlight feature?
Good question, astute one. Spotlight is good for finding files and such. However, Alfred offers a better UI, it pops up in the middle of the screen when you toggle it. In addition, you can easily search Google, Gmail, Yahoo, Amazon, Wikipedia, etc., by just typing it before your search string. Quick, fast, easy… how many times can I say it? You should try it 
Really, learn more or try it now.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
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This app is nothing compared to quicksilver. It’s quicker because it leaves out the file search which quicksilver has built in without any gimmicks. Furthermore, you cannot move files, copy files, delete files, etc. 75% of what Quicksilver can do. This program is rip-off of quicksilver that cannot compare. Also, i have never experienced lag or slowness from quicksilver. Perhaps you should learn how to use Quicksilver properly before dogging on it and promoting a simpler, stupider version of it.
Gabriel,
Thanks for leaving such an ignorant comment. First off, this application is not quicker because Quicksilver has more to offer, but because it’s quicker on it’s own merit. You should try it, you punk. Secondly, you should examine your argument- at first you say this program is nothing compared to QS, and then you claim it’s a ripoff of quicksilver? Man, you talk so much junk you could be a democrat strategist. You say you have never experienced slowness from QS? Well, I can tell you this: you’re lying. Look up how many people are ticked off with QS’s slow loading speeds, and then eat sand pal.
One last thing: I have used QS frequently, and have found it to be a horrible application. It’s supposed to be a launcher, but it can’t even do that very well, or fast. You are clearly not used Alfred, and I find it really ignorant of you to come here posting about QS. You sound like a little winey punk who can’t learn something new. You need to wise up, punk.