Quicksilver for Mac - Help, Tips and Discussion

[LFC_SL]

http://www.blacktree.com/projects/quicksilver.html

Just started using this multi-application launcher and already it has transformed the usage of my Macbook. With the glass track pad on the Aluminium Macbook and MultiClutch installed I have no need for a mouse. But I can imagine the usefulness of this beautifully simple program would be more prounounced on a desktop

This application has been mentioned many times before in this forum but it wasn't until I procrastinated from doing real work and did some research that my eyes were opened and I saw the potential

Of course Quicksilver is so much more than just a mere application launcher or spotlight replacement as you can use it to execute common tasks and more. For example it allows me to browse my iTunes library (artists, albums, playlists etc). So good in fact I uninstalled the iTunes menu bar controllers I only just began using!
This is what I have got up to in my learning but the purpose of this thread is so that I and others can learn more!

Themes
Currently using BezelHud theme Julius Eckert

Guides (Introduction, general usage)
http://docs.blacktree.com/quicksilver/tutorials (Great round up of tutorials and guides)
Quicksilver tutorial and screencast roundup - Simple Help
QuickSilver - A Better OS X In Just 10 Minutes - Dan Dickinson: The Primary Vivid Weblog
Quicksilver: From A Better OS X To Even More - Dan Dickinson: The Primary Vivid Weblog
Another Quicksilver Tutorial: Gold Trigger - Dan Dickinson: The Primary Vivid Weblog
YouTube - sr332603's Channel
http://www.avforums.com/forums/mac-h...ml#post8880807 (Member Stuker found some good YouTube videos)

Guides (Plug-ins, scripts, triggers to automate tasks and expand functionality)
How I Use Quicksilver I: Triggers | jwdunn
How I use Quicksilver II: Scripts | jwdunn
http://www.avforums.com/forums/mac-h...ml#post8875480 (Top 10 plug-ins link from member Tenex)

Q&A and Help (to be updated)

1. Why use this over Spotlight or the Dock?
Good question. If you are more keyboard orientated then you will benefit more from Quicksilver than someone who always uses a mouse. Quicksilver has the potential to be a better productivity tool as it is not a mere application launcher and file finder, with many plug-ins available. With triggers you can set a keyboard short cut to upload images to Flickr or to play your favourite playlist

2. How to access the Quicksilver preferences quickly
When viewing Quicksilver, pressing command + comma will bring up the preferences pane. This is the default shortcut unless you change it/turn it off. Otherwise access as standard for all Apple programs via the menu bar

3. What are triggers?
In Quicksilver, Triggers are keyboard short cuts tied to actions. In preferences choose the Triggers tab. For example in iTunes, I have 'Play/Pause song' tied to command + alt + space

Expansion (to be updated)

Calculator

Dictionary

1. First you need the dictionary plug-in if you did not already install it when you first ran Quicksilver
2. So navigate to "Preferences" and choose the "Plug-ins" tab
3. Choose "All Plug-ins". Scroll until you see the dictionary module and check the box. It will automatically be downloaded and installed
4. Now go back to the normal Quicksilver menu
5. Press the . or ' key to enter text mode (I sometimes miss this out but it works just as well because it compensates for me )
6. Type any word
7. Press tab to switch to the action
8. Choose "Define with in dict.org" or "Look up in Dictionary"

I normally type "Dic" after step 7 to filter the action to "define...."

iTunes

Firefox/Safari

Web Searchs

Google Calendar
1. Install the Google Calendar plug-in if you have not done so already
2. Invoke Quicksilver. Press the full stop key to enter text mode
3. Type anything. Something. At the end identify the date.
Doctor's Appointment 3PM Today
Doctor's Appointment 3PM Saturday
Doctor's Appointment 3PM Next Week
Doctor's Appointment 3PM 7th April
4. I have highlighted the above words in green for convenience - quicksilver will add the events to your Google Calendar as specified. Wow!
5. Press tab to switch to the action pane. Either type "go" or use your arrow keys to bring up the Google Calendar action
6. If you have not already signed in then Quicksilver will ask you to. Otherwise your event is added to your Google Calendar as you have specified

iCal
You can similarly add an iCal event or to-do entry. Install the iCal plug-in. Then it is the same as for adding an event for Google Calendar except you choose to do the relevant iCal action!

[LFC_SL]

Placeholder

[Tenex]

Here are a few things you may find useful as a QS newb

Top 10 Quicksilver Plug-ins

[Stampax]

i've never totally got the hang of exactly what is so great about this programme. Is it just a case of lets you do lots more shortcuts?

[LFC_SL]

Not sure - I have only just dipped my toes into the water

But yes, I am certainly using it as a glorified keyboard shortcuts and app launcher hub. It does work though - no exiting current apps, or having to switch to iTunes to change the song/album/playlist

[Paul s C]

I've heard a lot about QS, but I've never really understood what it is for. I'll be following this thread with interest!

[stuker]

thanks for starting this thread. It has reminded me to do something I had intended to do for a while. I downloaded QS a while back but never go around to learning it. After seeing this thread I watched one or two of the screen casts in the link and I am hooked! The possibilities with this application are vast.
I particularly like the email workflow functionality as well as the text append stuff and i am just getting into it.

There are a few decent video tutorials on you tube as well for those that are interested. Soe links below

[LFC_SL]

Swamped with work as always but I will quickly mention 'custom triggers'

Preferences -> Triggers -> Custom Triggers

You can set a keyboard shortcut for just about anything that you can do through the normal Quicksilver pane

Likewise this is where you can also assign a custom trigger for any scripts you have downloaded

[LFC_SL]

Added a Google Calendar and iCal section. Combine with:
Get Started with CalDAV - Google Calendar Help for effectiveness

Now you can use quicksilver to add an event to your Google calendar or iCal without leaving your current app or having to open your browser/iCal!

[Paul s C]

I've finally started using Quicksilver, and this thread has been a cracking starting point! It's quite an overwhelming program when you get into it. Very simple, but the sheer amount of stuff it can do is crazy!

Paul

[isaacalves]

What if I want to disable the left and right-arrow native shortcuts in iTunes (which make it play the previous and next song), to assign it then to some scripts i've made to fast forward/ rewind 10 seconds of currently playing song?

thanks!

[fikri]

Originally Posted by Stampax

i've never totally got the hang of exactly what is so great about this programme. Is it just a case of lets you do lots more shortcuts?

It is as simple as it sounds. But productivity-wise, it does help a lot.