Steve points out an interesting little open source app for Windows that allows you open programs using the keyboard by typing in the name of your application of choice. This is a far cry from what I have been hoping for which is someone to replicate QuickSilver (currently Mac only) for Windows so that you can create full sentences that allow you combine objects and actions. 90% of the time I use Quicksilver to simply open applications, so Launchy will do for now, and since it is an open source project I am sure it will continue to evolve.

Launchy: The Open Source Keystroke Launcher for Windows