elberon5.com: Keeping A Clean Desktop, Application Launchers

A blank desktop is a top priority for me. There's no reason to keep anything on your computer's desktop for any amount of time. It usually means that you are not organizing your files well. Take advantage of the My Documents folder. This is where your files belong. Keep them all in here and start making a few subfolders to keep them sorted. Keeping them all in one place also makes it much simpler to back them up.

How do I launch my files and programs if they aren't on the desktop? Windows 7 has made this simpler. You can simply hit the window key on your keyboard or click the windows button for you mouse lovers and it lets you start typing. As you type it'll give you programs you can launch that match what you're typing. E.g. if you start typing office, you'll see word, excel, etc. listed. You can then click the application or use the arrow keys to highlight the application and enter to run it. Ctrl+Shift+Enter on one of these applications will allow you to launch it as administrator.

If you are using a different operating system you'll want to install an application that will give you this functionality. They are called launchers. The best one I've found for earlier windows versions is Launchy. I usually bind this to Alt+Space but the default is Window+Space. When you hit the shortcut key you can right click the launcher to get into the preferences and setup shortcut locations, a different shortcut key, and layouts.

For linux there are several good programs for this. I've used 'gnome do' the most, along with a program called Docky. Docky includes a mac style launcher. I believe Launchy also works for linux. One other worth mention is Avant Window Manager this also integrates the mac style application bar

Launchy
http://www.launchy.net/