- Alfred 3 5 – Quick Launcher For Apps And More People
- Alfred 3 5 – Quick Launcher For Apps And More Download
- Alfred 3 5 – Quick Launcher For Apps And More Mod
- Alfred 3 5 – Quick Launcher For Apps And More Slow
Developer(s) | Running with Crayons Ltd |
---|---|
Stable release | |
Operating system | macOS |
Type | Application launcher (utility software) |
License | Proprietary |
Website | www.alfredapp.com |
Alfred is an application launcher and productivity application for macOS. Alfred is free, though an optional paid upgrade ('Powerpack') is available.[2]
Launcher is the original app launching widget - and still the best! Now with version 4.0, Launcher has far and away the most powerful widgets on the App Store. When you install it, you get up to 6 w. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Alfred and many of them are available for Windows so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Windows alternatives to Alfred are Listary (Freemium), Keypirinha (Free), CerebroApp (Free, Open Source) and ueli (Free, Open Source). Quick newbie question with workflows. I add an external trigger to Rui Xue's Search Safari History workflow, then I have a script call that external trigger like so: tell application 'Alfred 3' to run trigger 'hsi-ext' in workflow 'com.my.alfred.hsi' It opens the Safari history, so I can do the same thing with Safari Tabs.
Using a keyboard shortcut chosen by the user, Alfred provides a quick way to find and launch applications and files on the Mac or to search the web both with predefined keywords for often-used sites such as Amazon.com, IMDb, Wikipedia and many others, with the ability to add users' custom searches for the sites most applicable to them. In its free version it also serves as a calculator, spell-checker and a convenient interface for controlling the Mac with system commands.[3]
Alfred's capabilities can be extended with the Powerpack which provides additional features, including the ability to directly navigate your file system, perform actions on the files and applications you search for, control iTunes,[4] open Address Book entries, save text clips, and more.[5] Alfred also allows you to set global hotkeys,[6] access your URL history[7] and create auto-expanding text snippets.[8]
There are hundreds of user-created extensions.[9] A large repository for user-created workflows and themes created for Alfred 2 and 3 can be found at Packal.
Alfred can be used as an alternative to macOS launchers such as Quicksilver and was created primarily with ease of use in mind.[10] Alfred has garnered praise including 2011 Macworld Editors' Choice Award for the best Mac hardware and software of the year,[11] being named TUAW's Best of 2011 Mac utility app[12] and one of The 10 Best Mac Apps of 2011 by Mashable.[13] It has also been recognised as one of 10 Must-have Apps for Mac Newbies by Maclife.com [14] and a runner-up in MacStories Mac App of 2011 reader's choice.[15]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^'Alfred Change Log'. Running with Crayons. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
- ^Johnson, Joshua (November 2, 2011). 'Stop the Presses: Sneak Preview of Alfred 1.0'. Mac.Appstorm.
- ^Johnson, Joshua (November 2, 2011). 'Stop the Presses: Sneak Preview of Alfred 1.0'. Mac.Appstorm.
- ^Appleyard, David (September 23, 2010). 'What's New in the Alfred Powerpack?'. Mac.Appstorm.
- ^Moren, Dan (November 29, 2011). 'Alfred launcher app hits version 1.0'. Macworld.
- ^Southard, Don (November 29, 2011). 'Alfred 1.0 Now Available With Enhanced Global Hotkeys'. Macstories.
- ^Caolo, Dave (November 29, 2011). 'Alfred 1.0 offers enhanced global hotkeys, URL handling, more'. TUAW.
- ^Barnes, Eric L. (2016-05-19). 'Alfred 3 with new Snippet Expansion — dotdev'. Medium. Retrieved 2016-07-20.[permanent dead link]
- ^Heath, Alex (December 4, 2011). '5 Awesome Things You Can Do With Alfred On Your Mac'. Cult of Mac.
- ^Turnbull, Giles (March 2, 2010). 'Interview: Alfred Picks Up Where Quicksilver Left Off'. Cult of Mac.
- ^Macworld (December 5, 2011). 'The 27th Annual Editors' Choice Awards'. Macworld.
- ^Sande, Steven (December 16, 2011). 'Alfred: TUAW Best of 2011 winner for Mac utility apps'. TUAW.
- ^Warren, Christina (December 12, 2011). 'The 10 Best Mac Apps of 2011'. Mashable.
- ^Bohon, Cory (December 13, 2011). '10 Must-have Apps for Mac Newbies'. Maclife.
- ^Spencer, Graham (December 24, 2011). 'MacStories Apps Of 2011: Reader's Choice Winners'. Macstories.
External links[edit]
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alfred_(software)&oldid=936225746'
Ubuntu’s default app launcher is the GNOME Shell Applications Overview but this full-screen grid of icons doesn’t suit everyone’s tastes.
Thankfully a world of alternative app launchers for Linux desktops exist —launchers that are more traditional, more interactive, and/or often more capable than what Ubuntu provides out of the box.
Inspired by my recent play with
rofi
on the Regolith desktop I decided to test a bunch of ’em to compile this: a list of the best app launchers for Ubuntu and Linux Mint (in my opinion, of course).Let’s dive in!
5 Best Linux App Launchers
As you likely know, Ubuntu has a pretty capable app launcher built-in. One press of the
super
key and —bam! it’s there, ready to help.But it’s a little too there for some folks who, like you, may be on the look out for a less egregious offering.
Learn More14 Essential Ubuntu Keyboard Shortcuts (with Cheat Sheet)
Now, for the purposes of this list, an app launcher is defined as a utility that opens with a keyboard shortcut and which also lets you launch any app installed on your system.
So to secure a spot in this list an app launcher must:
- Work with the stock Ubuntu desktop
- Open with a keyboard shortcutorkey
- Launch any installed app
Based on this criteria desktop-specific launchers like Slingshot (Pantheon) and Brisk (MATE) are out of scope, as are static desktop docks like Plank, Dash to Panel and AWN.
But even without these the choice isn’t limited, as there’s a diverse range of nifty applications launchers freely available…
1. Albert
We start this list with the Linux app launcher omg! ubuntu! readers rate as their favourite: Albert. Currency assistant 3 2 4 – convenient currency conversion.
Albert, like most of the launchers in this list, spends the majority of its time hidden from view. When you need it you press
ctrl
+ space
and—et voila—it’s there instantly, awaiting your keystrokes.As you type the name of an app Albert will show matching suggestions in real time. You select the one you want using your keyboard arrow keys and hit
enter
to launch it — that’s it!Albert isn’t limited to just opening your fave programs either, as you can use the tool to search for files and folder on your system, browse your Firefox bookmarks, launch a web search, and more.
A quick rundown of what Albert can do:
- Search apps and files/folders
- Configurable keyboard shortcut
- Wide range of additional extensions
Albert is written in C++ and uses the Qt framework and its focus is on speed and extensibility.
One negative is that Albert isn’t the nicest looking entry on this list “out of the box”, though a variety of additional themes do come included.
The launcher also requires set-up before it can do anything; Albert can’t search through anything until you head into
Settings > Extensions
and enable the abilities you want.Want Alfred to do your bidding? Download the latest version from the official repo (works on Ubuntu 18.04 LTS and up):
2. Kupfer
If you like the look and feel of Albert, but want something that is both a little lighter on system resources and available to install from the Ubuntu archives, check out Kupfer.
Kupfer is a free, open-source app launcher for Linux desktops that has some added tricks up its sleeve, including file search and a small set of additional application plugins.
Kupfer’s features include:
- Configurable hot key
- Fuzzy search
- Search apps and files/folders
The Python-based Kupfer is no longer actively maintained but don’t let that put you off: the app still works as intended, even on the latest Ubuntu releases.
Alfred 3 5 – Quick Launcher For Apps And More People
3. Ulauncher
Ulauncher is my personal favourite app launcher in this list because it’s actually so much more than that!
Like almost every
ctrl
+ spacebar
productivity bar Ulauncher draws heavily on Alfred for macOS — which is not a bad thing.Written in Python and using GTK+, Ulauncher integrates well with the vanilla Ubuntu desktop. As well as boasting a wealth of themes (woo) Ulauncher has a huge set of optional “extensions” available to download.
- Fuzzy search
- Lots of themes
Alfred 3 5 – Quick Launcher For Apps And More Download
Two versions of Ulauncher are available: v4 and v5. Plugins for v4 don’t work in v5, and vice versa, so if a particular power-up you want is only available in v4, use that.
Use extensions to customise Ulauncher to perform extra actions and access features, e.g., search emoji and copy it to the clipboard; sift through saved passwords; manage system processes; look up word definitions; and more.
Alfred 3 5 – Quick Launcher For Apps And More Mod
The best way to install Ulauncher on Ubuntu is to grab an installer direct from the project’s Github releases page:
4. GNOME Pie
Now for a slice of something a little different!
GNOME Pie is a circular, icon-based app launcher that can rely as much on mouse movements as it does key presses — which you use is up to you!
We’ve written about this app in more detail before, so check out one our older articles if you’re keen to learn more about the who, what and why,
Each Pie can be configured, organised or set-up according to your tastes, but by default GNOME Pie will use application categories (e.g., “Office” contains LibreOffice, et al, “Internet” has your web browsers, social media clients, etc).
- Lots of themes
- Hugely customisable
- Control media playback
- Use with mouse, keyboard or both
Sadly GNOME Pie is not (yet) available to install on Ubuntu 19.04, but it works just great on 18.04 and related distros (like Linux Mint). Install it from the official PPA.
5. Arc Menu
Okay, okay: technically the Arc Menu GNOME extension is more of an app menu rather than an app launcher but since it a) can be opened with a keyboard shortcut (
super
) and b) lets you search and launch apps without taking your hand off the keyboard, I’m going to say it counts!An app launcher with a menu button instead of a tray applet, and UI that appears in the corner of the screen and not the centre.
Arc Menu uses the same search backend as GNOME Shell (you can control search plugins from the Settings > Search section) to deliver app results, system settings, software suggestions and more.
Other App Launchers
Synapse
Synapse is olden-goodie that’s still available in the Ubuntu repos and (mostly) still works. Its glossy interface is somewhat dated (and certainly jives with plainer, more modern desktops) but its core functionality remains in tact.
And as a bonus: this thing is still amazingly fast.
Alt + F2
I couldn’t leave out the venerable
alt
+ f2
, could I? This universal run dialogue is the most basic option on this list (it can only run commands) but it is available out of the box on almost every single distro out there so it merits a mention!Launchy
Launchy is a free, open source app launcher that works on Windows, macOS and Linux. The cross-platform nature means it’s not as natively “Linux” as other options in this list but it works. Major downside: Launchy plugins only work on Windows.
Alfred 3 5 – Quick Launcher For Apps And More Slow
Cerebro
Cerebro is an Electron-based app launcher pitched as a Spotlight alternative for Linux and Windows. It’s certainly that; it’s unnervingly similar. But, while capable, its Electron roots will put many off due to its large memory usage.
Is there a “best of” roundup you’d like us to write? Let me know below