Tunes - Tuneflow

Mac OS X only: We've been fans of Quicksilver for years, but the universal application launcher and-then-some hasn't been in active development for a while. Alfred aims to pick up where Quicksilver left off.

Windows/Mac/Linux: Launchy, the little application launcher that could, has introduced a Mac version with its latest beta. Bug fixes, performance overhauls, and new shortcuts and controls are also baked into this beta for every system.

Windows: Sure you could use the start menu or even install an application launcher like Launchy but you'd be missing out on the rotating eye candy and application management of Circle Dock.

Windows: Application launchers can speed up your computer experience, but they aren't always pleasant to look at. Krento is not only easy to configure, but it adds some serious 3D eye candy to your desktop, with little impact on resources.

Windows only: Start menu replacement utility Classic Shell adds back some of the missing features in Windows 7 or Vista that used to exist in XP—like the Classic-style Start Menu.

Last week we asked you to share your favorite application docks and then we rounded up the results for your review. You cast your vote for the best application dock and now we're back with the results.

Taskbars? Start menus? You don't need no stinkin' start menus. You've got a dock that meets all your application launching and organizing needs, and we want to hear all about it. Photo by Che A..

Quicksilver is easily one of our favorite tools ever, but since its future isn't all that bright, die-hard users cross our fingers every time OS X updates. In Snow Leopard, Quicksilver stopped working for many users; here's how to fix it.

Windows only: Portable system utility launcher Windows Access Panel adds shortcuts for 48 built-in Windows utilities right into a single dialog window, so you don't have to remember how to type netplwiz into the start menu anymore.