Launch Key is a convenient, quick, and easy utility that will let you launch any Finder item, from an application to a server shortcut. Critics of launchers (myself included) usually avoid them because of the cumbersome palettes that occupy desktop space while the Apple Menu, when customized, can perform a similar task. But Launch Key is different. Running seamlessly in the background (it's an extension), you configure up to 10 items through the Launch Key application that you'd like it to use. From there, it's just a simple command-option-# key (1-9, corresponding to the configured items) away from "double clicking" that item, regardless of what application you are in.
If there are a few items that you access frequently, such as your email program or web browser, using Launch Key is probably the fastest way to launch them. Of course, if you use a program that uses command-option-# key shortcuts, then you're out of luck. -MS
