Start programs simply by name
Quick Starter
© Designbüro*Marx, photocase.com
The Spotlight utility for the Macintosh has even the most hardened Apple fans scurrying back from the mouse to the keyboard. A short Perl script implements the utility for the Linux desktop.
If you have ever searched a cluttered desktop for an icon belonging to a particular application, you might have asked yourself who invented the approach of using the mouse to select applications. If you know the application's name, there is really no need to waste valuable time picking an icon from dozens on your desktop.
Spotty, a piece of Perl code, gives you a customizable hotkey that immediately pops up a window at the top right side of your desktop (Figure 1). The keyboard focus automatically shifts to the input box. As soon as you start typing – fi, for example – Spotty knows that the program you want to launch must be Firefox, pushes the name to the top of the selection list, and gives you the option of pressing the Tab key to accept the suggestion and launch the application.
All of this takes less than two seconds and works like pressing Alt+F2 in Gnome or KDE; however, coding your own script means that you learn something new and can modify it to your heart's content.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.
-
Linux Kernel 6.14 Released
The latest Linux kernel has arrived with extra Rust support and more.