Linux Launchers – Kupfer, Synapse – Two Ubercool GNOME Do Alternatives

This is why I love Linux. If you don’t like one application, choose from the alternatives, simple as that. GNOME Do is an incredible launcher application for Ubuntu. But since GNOME Do is basically a Mono application, many might refrain from using it. But don’t worry, Synapse and Kupfer are equally good or even better GNOME Do alternatives. Learn more.

Kupfer
Kupfer is a convenient command and access tool that does the job. The default keyboard combination to launch Kupfer is ctrl+space and by simply hitting down arrow, you are able to access your list of applications quite easily. Below screenshot depicts launching of Operabrowser in my Ubuntu using Kupfer.

• To install Kupfer in Ubuntu, simply do the following in Terminal.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kupfer-team/ppa && sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install kupfer

• Done. Now goto Applications – Accessories – Kupfer. Now, whenever you want to launch Kupfer, hit ctrl+space. 

Synapse
Synapse is another good GNOME Do alternative which is quite new also. Synapse definitely looks a lot better and might even be a bit lighter than Kupfer.

And like Kupfer, It can used for launching applications and your internal files as well. In the first screenshot, I am launching Hotot twitter client using Synapse and in the below screenshot I am launching a video(see the preview) downloaded from YouTube using Synapse.

• Do the following in Terminal to install Synapse in Ubuntu.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:synapse-core/ppa && sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install synapse

• Done. Now goto Applications – Accessories – Synapse to launch application.