Question

I know that Quicksilver is one of the most useful utilities on any Mac power user's hard drive, but I can't get over the feeling I'm under utilizing it. 90% of my use for Quicksilver is iTunes control and program launching.

So what are some other great uses for Quicksilver? Really useful plug-ins?

Answer 1

I probably get the most use out of it for:

• Searching and launching my catalog of Social Bookmarks on Delicious

• Quickly adding items to the to-do list in I-cal (I do this all day long - especially while I'm sorting mail)

• Launching various scripts and running terminal commands
• Controlling iTunes (rate songs, browse library, play, pause, etc.)
• Web Search shortcuts for Google Web/Images, wikipedia
• The timer and on screen message is actually something I use all the time (set an onscreen message and then use the proxy object plugin to launch it again when the timer goes off, great for when I have something on the stove in the other room)
• Obviously launching applications

Heres my plugins screen:

Answer 2

Viewing hidden files or folders.

Select a directory, press Alt+right arrow and it will list the files as usual, but also include hidden files/folders.

There is a defaults write command to show hidden files, and utilities/widgets to simplify it slightly, but these involve relaunching Finder, which is a pain just to open/delete/etc a single hidden file

Answer 3

Right now, I use Quicksilver mostly to map hotkeys to launch certain programs. For example, I currently use this setup:

• Cmd F1 -> Terminal
• Cmd F2 -> Smultron
• Cmd F3 -> Firefox
• Cmd F4 -> Xcode

Answer 4

1. Launch Applications
2. Go to dirs and open files
3. Launch specific Preference Panes
4. Open Delicious bookmarks
5. Empty trash

Answer 5

Move to is really cool.

1. Select something in Finder
2. Invoke Quicksilver
3. press cmd-G
4. tab
5. type move to
6. tab again
7. type the name of the folder to move the file int it and press enter

Et voila!

Answer 6

unfortunately its not working for me on snow leopard and i am told i have to reset the preferences but i used it on leopard last for a number of things and it was indispensable. here are some of the uses i made of this amazing tool:

1. moving files (e.g. from folder to folder in finder) makes file organization a snap
2. calling people on skype (you need the services menu plugin for this) by selecting a contact from address book via QS (address book plugin) and then arrowing right to phone number and then tab followed by call (or SMS) this number. (note there is no skype plugin, it just uses services and addressbook plugins)
3. capturing screenshots (using the appropriate plugins or applescripts)
4. locking the screen when away from computer
5. triggers: considered by many to be a power-feature of QS, they allow you to assign hotkeys to almost anything you can do with QS. i used this to search google, google feeling lucky and many more in addition to assigning app launches to my Function keys.

there is so much more but the problem is that development and support have become spotty and we are now relegated to patching together fixes much like a ship springing leaks and eventually it will have to sync unless major repair and redevelopment work is done.

google quick search box is reminiscent of QS in certain way but lacks key functions including the invaluable 'triggers' i mentioned above.

Answer 7

For me one of the best is sending emails: http://media.theappleblog.com/screencasts/qsemail.mov

Answer 8

I like Quicksilver Clipboard History. It's one of the best implementations of such tool on mac with extensive shortcuts and auto-hide option.