One of the best things about using a Mac is access to the fantastic array of quality software produced by talented independent developers. I think in all my years of using Windows I only purchased shareware a handful of times, whereas since switching to Mac four years ago I seem to buy at least a couple of new apps every month. My 1Password database of serial numbers is fit to burst!

Every so often I come across a piece of software that changes the way I work completely, and the latest addition to this highest echelon of elite software is LaunchBar from Objective Development.

LaunchBar has been on the Mac for many years now, and although I’d heard the name thrown around forums in the past, I’d never though to try it out myself until now. I’m glad I did. As a dedicated user of Spotlight, CMD + Space is my standard application launch routine. However I’ve often been frustrated when trying to find an app or file this way, when Spotlight refuses to bring it up in its results list for one reason or another. LaunchBar mimics the behaviour of Spotlight but is far faster (it uses its own index) and offers a wealth of added functionality too. I can browse and control iTunes, send a quick email or even dial a contact via my Fritz!Box without having to take my fingers away from the keyboard. It’s a fantastic and powerful little application and I highly recommend that you check it out.