And a different viewpoint: Win7 doesn't distinguish between 'execute command', 'launch application', 'search applications' and 'search files' in its Dash equivalent. Instead, it works through the list in that order: if the text entered matches a command, then it's treated as a command (e.g. "ping
example.com" or "firefox
example.com"); if it matches an application, it launches the application; if it doesn't match an application it searches for applications with similar names; and if no match exists, it performs a full file search.
This approach really is seamless. It covers every feature discussed in this thread and does so in a simple, logical and efficient manner. Dash, in comparison, goes directly to step 2 (search applications). Step 1 can only be performed with Alt-F2, while step 3 is kept into a different compartment from step 2.
I firmly believe that unification between these concepts would result in a more usable Dash. What do you think?