In the years since I first started developing FastScripts, all manner of keyboard-shortcut type solutions have popped up, including the enormously ambitious Quicksilver, and the refined, trigger-action-oriented Butler.

But some of us still appreciate FastScripts for its simplicity. Put scripts in the standard Apple-location, cmd-select them from the FastScripts menu, and assign a keystroke. FastScripts could be improved in some important ways, but it’s been in “stable and revered” mode for years now, which has made it a reliable tool for people to recommend to others. I think it’s easy to recommend because it does exactly what it says it will do, and little more. You don’t need to join a FastScripts cult or change your entire workflow to get some use out of it!

Michael Tsai recommends it in the manual to his BBAutoComplete product. I see frequent referrals from Quark and InDesign forums, where running scripts efficiently is a major part of the creative and production process. It’s gratifying to know that FastScripts has become a part of the productive environment for so many people.

But sometimes people just use it because they feel lucky. Christopher Biagini shares his I’m Feeling Lucky script, which performs a simple but useful task. It asks you for a phrase, then it does the Google search for you, then it takes you straight to the “I’m Feeling Lucky” link. I clicked the handy “open it directly” button which worked like a charm to bring it to Script Editor. Then saved it to my Scripts folder and assigned a keystroke. Nifty! And a lot lighter-weight than Google Desktop :)

Go ahead, make my day. Give FastScripts a try!

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