Helpers are applications that handle specific tasks, such as instant messaging, notification, and file system browsing. If you have more than one application installed to handle certain actions, such as Finder and Path Finder or iChat and Adium, you can use this pane to specify which one you prefer to use. Note that a plug-in may be required to make the application show up in this list.

Some plug-ins display notification to the user to indicate something has happened. As an example, the iTunes plug-in displays track change notifications to let you know some information about the song. Similarly, outside applications can use AppleScript to cause Quicksilver to display notifications.

* Quicksilver (built-in) Uses Quicksilver's built-in notification window to display notifications. A simple rectangle, it fades in and then quickly zooms out in the middle of the screen. The window is not configurable, but it has sane defaults. * Console Uses the system console to display notifications. For most users this is the same as ignoring all notifications, but for those of you with an application like GeekTool , this could be your preferred method of notification.

* Growl Growl is a relatively new, open source system notifier that uses display plug-ins and gives the user complete control over their notifications. Visit Growl's website here . Note that this plug-in requires advanced features to be enabled. * LanOSD An older notification system, this one has more networking features than Growl but has fewer preferences for managing notifications. Visit LanOSD's website here . Note that this plug-in requires advanced features to be enabled.

Quicksilver has the ability to open IM windows, send text and files, and otherwise interact with your IM client (depending on support offered by the plug-in).

* iChat Causes 'IM' and 'IM text…' actions to open in iChat. View the online contacts by getting the contents of iChat.

* Adium Causes 'IM' and 'IM text…' actions to open in Adium. View the online contacts by getting the contents of Adium. Visit Adium's website here .

Quicksilver has a wide variety of file system operations it can perform, such as viewing the contents of folders, moving, renaming, and deleting files and folders, opening files and folders, etc. You can choose which application you want to handle these requests here.

* Finder The default, for most users this can simply be left alone. This will cause all file related actions to be forwarded to the Finder.

* Path Finder A Finder replacement, this application simply takes over the role that Finder has. Visit Path Finder's website here .

http://quicksilver.blacktree.com/public/docs/images/qs-prefs-helpers.png

Command Preferences « Helper Preferences » Plug-In Preferences