Comment 36 for bug 580295

I have an idea on how to solve this problem from an UI and usability point of view:

Chromium has this neat 'quick search' feature that enables the user to search a specific topic by typing 'keyword' + 'space' + 'search input'. The same could be done with Unity dash, e.g. type 'l update-manager' ('l' for 'launch') to run 'update-manage' as when you pressed Alt-F2 in the old days.

To get a better idea of what I mean, look at the mock-up.
Implementing this kind of keyword search would open the door to a lot of other exiting search features like:
- 'w' for Wikipedia search
- 's' normal Internet search
- documentation search for a special topic like 'p' for python
- user specified keyword' to run - user specified launch/search script → hello Zeitgeist :)
- and many more...

A similar type of 'specified search terminology' is already used by Firefox, Chrome and DuckDuckGo in form of '!Bang' keywords. As the Alt-F2 feature is used mostly by advanced users, I think previous Alt-F2 users would quickly adopt the new procedure.

Pros:
- a consistent and expandable launch/search schema
- idea would extend the Unity dash without interrupting the current interface
- space for a lot of future Unity dash magic

Cons:
- when typing 'character + space' users could accidentally get into special launch/search mode
- not average user friendly (maybe a small drop-down search option menu as in Firefox could help out)