 |
|
|
Your computer is able to run many programs at the same time. This menu is a core part of the operating system which allows quick access to all running applications. When you double click (load) a program such as Apple Works or Internet Explorer it will automatically appear in the App. menu. Whilst it is active (you are using that program) you will see its name and/or icon in the top right of the screen (where you should press to display the menu). When you click on the menu the active application will be displayed with a tick next to it. |
 The Application Menu |
| The Finder is the only item that will always be in the menu. As we have seen the Finder allows you access to the desktop and filing system (i.e. your hard disk and trash)
An obvious change in application is that the application's window will become active. A slightly more subtle change is the menu bar. The menu bar is the strip that is always present at the top of your screen and usually contains File, Edit, and Help items. When you switch between applications the menus available in this bar will provide functions for that application. (Switching to Apple Works for example. The File menu will then Save the current document and Quit the program, the edit menu will allow you cut and paste items within the open document, and the help menu will provide information and instructions for the active program.) A common mistake..... Often new users complain that when they double click an Application (OutLook Express, used to send and receive email, is a common example) nothing happens. In fact it is more than likely that the app. is already running and that no window is open. To resolve this one should click on the application menu. You will then see that Outlook Express is running. Clicking on the Outlook Express item in the application menu will then make the program active and hence its associated menus. As a beginner you should then Choose File and scroll to Quit to exit the program. Double clicking the icon will then reload the program in its default (original) state. |
|
| Further Functions |  Application Menu Floating Box (Icons only) |
 Application menu floating box |
The application menu is also able to act as a floating box. This makes all your programs even more readily available. All you need to do when this function is active is click the application you wish to use. This is a function that will be developed further in the up coming Mac OS X (pronounced 'ten', as I understand it).
To use this feature click and hold the mouse button down over the application menu. Move the mouse down the menu and off the bottom. You will see a transparent grey square 'tear' off the menu. Continue dragging the box with the mouse to an ideal position. Then release the mouse button. The menu will appear as pictured right. You can then position it in the same way as any other window. You can also change the appearance so that only the icons are viewable in either horizontal or vertical configuration (Pictured above) |
| One final point about switching between applications........
If you can see an application's window you can click it to make it active. This is most commonly used when switching from Application to Desktop (Finder). For example, when in Apple Works you can click on any visible part of the Desktop to make the Finder active. The Apple Works window will then go grey and the top right of the screen will display 'Finder'. To switch back to Apple Works simply click on the open Apple Works window. These functions are things that you will have to use every day. Practice makes perfect, as they say, but trial and error with a bit of logic can go a long way. Don't forget to read the Mac Help files as well. |
|