MacRun 1.5 is a utility that mimics the "Run..." command for in Windows. It provides two basic functions: textual navigation of your hard drive and place to enter URLs that will subsequently launch your browser and load the page. It does, however, have a couple features that makes it more appealing than the Windows' function it aims to copy.
If you've ever received a hybrid CD (one that works with both Windows and Mac) or looked at the directions to install a Windows product off a CD, then you've most likely seen the part that talks about choosing "Run" from the Start menu and entering "D:\program\setup.exe" or something similar. This is a method of navigating through folders that was carried over from DOS. Essentially, it tells Windows to open up the D: drive, open up the program folder, and launch setup.exe. With MacRun, you can add this cumbersome and backwards-thinking feature to the Mac OS, thereby allowing you to load up SimpleText by typing "Macintosh HD:Applications:SimpleText." You're probably thinking that typing such a string of words takes longer than opening up the respective folders and launching the application (or document) yourself -- and you'd be right, it is. However, MacRun does keep track of recently used applications and you can build up a Favorites-like listing of both Applications and Documents. Of course, you could do the same thing with the AppleMenu.
MacRun also allows you to enter URLs into the field and it will then launch your web browser (http://), FTP client (ftp://) or email program (mailto:) accordingly. Like applications, it will also keep track of recently visited sites and you have the option of using a "Type ahead" feature similar to Internet Explorer's AutoComplete feature that will fill out the rest of the URL if you start entering one that you recently visited.
If you have the urge to see just how inefficient the Run command on Windows is, then you should give MacRun a try. The application/document-launching portion of it may be tedious, but the ability to quickly enter a URL and browse to that page is nice. MacRun does, however, consume roughly eight times the desktop space of Go!, which makes it difficult to tuck away into a corner of your monitor. Either way, it is free and comes with very comprehensive documentation.
-MS
