Launch programs with User defined Keys?

Question

Im using 10.6.4 on a Macbook Pro and on the 1 screen im using 3 different programs at once (2 music programs and Parallels / Windows Program)
Is there a quick way to flip between the 3 very quickly as I like to view all 3 very quickly and chop and change between them on the Macbook Pro screen
I use Apple + Tab but this gets tedious trying to flip around between them going left and right
Does 10.6.4 allow you to user define keys to certain programs so you can launch and they become active?
ie: F1 - launch program 1, F2 - Launch Program 2 etc
So 1 button push makes a certain program active?
I was used to Windows, whereby everything stayed in a dock at the bottom and you could just launch any program at any time
I love Mac OS X but the only way I can find is either the Apple+Tab which gets tedious, or a Hot corner which i have set up and "spreads out" the programs : then again with hot corners your still having to chase around all your open windows!
Is there a quick easy solution for having up to 3 programs at once and instant access that I don't know about? With audio editing, i chop and change edits to see how they fit between programs so this would be invaluable
I'm pretty sure OSX would have something under the bonnet to do this?
Thanks

Answer 1

pitchfork wrote:
I was used to Windows, whereby everything stayed in a dock at the bottom and you could just launch any program at any time
Hi,
Um, so far as I'm aware this is the same behaviour in OS X. Launched programs that are not added to the Dock are appended to the right of the Dock, but applications in the dock do not move randomly - unless you count the fact that the Dock expands to include newly-added or -launched applications. To achieve what I think you're referring to, simply add the applications you use frequently to the Dock permanently, and use the same behaviour you were accustomed to in Windows to switch applications.
However, if you want to create a simple keystroke to switch to another application (whether open already or not), then try creating a new Automator Service to activate a given application, and assigning a keystroke to it. I've never actually created a working Automator action before, but I believe the following should work:
1) Launch Automator
2) Select "Library" in the left-hand column, and type "Applescript" in the search box.
3) There will be only one result, "Run Applescript." Drag this into the right-hand column.
4) Copy and paste the following script to replace the words "(* Your script goes here *)":
tell application "Amadeus Pro"
activate # switch to your application, launch if necessary
end tell
5) Replace "Amadeus Pro" with the name of the application you want to switch to. KEEP the inverted commas.
6) Make sure the drop-down menu in the top-right is set to "any application."
7) Choose "Save" from the File menu, and assign an appropriate name; this is how your Service will appear in the Services menu. You can now close Automator.
8) Finally, assign a shortcut in System Preferences » Keyboard » Keyboard Shortcuts » Services.
Give that a shot and see whether you're happy with it. Rinse and repeat with the names of the other applications if satisfied
Hope that helps,
S.