Mac has a Windows-style Start Menu built in

[nate]

Maybe this is something everyone knows about, and I just happened to discover it.

I've hard of programs that put a windows-style start menu onto your dock, but I accidently discovered that Mac OS X (panther, at least) already has the ability to do this.

I didn't know that.

It's easy. Just throw the Applications folder onto your Dock. Then HOLD-CLICK for a second and the Windows-style Start Menu appears. You can also RIGHT-CLICK if you have a two buttoned mouse (like me).

Maybe this isn't big news to anyone, but it is to me and I thought I'd share it just incase someone else didn't know.


--nate


PS If you're getting the old familiar windowed menu (shows home, music, etc), you probably double clicked. Right-click or hold-click, and up comes a menu. It looks almost like the windows menu, but better, because it's a Mac menu.

 

[AmigoMac]

Wow!

Are you discovering new things?!!! WOW!!!

 

[nate]

hey, give me a break. I'm new at this mac gig. I've only had my mac for a while. gees.

 

[iMeowbot]

Yep, you can do that with any other folder too. It's pretty useful, as long as you keep your folders from having 5 zillion files so that the menus don't have to scroll. Other useful additions are your home and desktop folders.

 

[AmigoMac]

hey, give me a break. I'm new at this mac gig. I've only had my mac for a while. gees.

Welcome... take it easy, I know it's a pretty nice feature, if you may need it, give "Dragthing" a try ... google for it...

 

[Abstract]

Hehe, thanks bud.

I've never bothered because I didn't find the use for it on a computer at school with this "feature", but I've tried to add my Home folder onto my Dock, and it just goes "poof", as the dock isn't accepting it.

I just wanna know out of curiosity sake how to add it into the Dock. I really can't find a folder I go to often enough to take up even more space (mine is loaded!).

 

[AmigoMac]

Hehe, thanks bud.

I've never bothered because I didn't find the use for it on a computer at school with this "feature", but I've tried to add my Home folder onto my Dock, and it just goes "poof", as the dock isn't accepting it.

I just wanna know out of curiosity sake how to add it into the Dock. I really can't find a folder I go to often enough to take up even more space (mine is loaded!).

to add a folder to the dock, do it beside the trash, take care

 

[5300cs]

hey, give me a break. I'm new at this mac gig. I've only had my mac for a while. gees.

Don't take him as a representative of the Mac community, there are rude people everywhere

Hope you're enjoying Mac OS so far

 

[cslewis]

it isn't working for me...
oops! it did now...

 

[Fukui]

It's pretty useful, as long as you keep your folders from having 5 zillion files so that the menus don't have to scroll.

When it pops up, just type the name. It highlights it, just hit enter. Even if there are a zillion files.

 

[beefcake]

I discovered this a few months ago and have used it every day since. When you put it in the dock, make sure its on the trash side of the divider, otherwise it won't work.

 

[Felix_the_Mac]

Dock? Pah! The dock is for wimps.

Real 'small blue things from Alpha Centauri' use Launchbar http://www.obdev.at/products/launchbar/index.html.

H2G2

 

[amin]

When it pops up, just type the name. It highlights it, just hit enter. Even if there are a zillion files.

Thanks, I didn't know that. Very useful since my Apps folder has approximately a zillion files.

 

[Porsche]

When it pops up, just type the name. It highlights it, just hit enter. Even if there are a zillion files.

Didn't know that...helps a whole lot with my zillion applications...thanks!

 

[FightTheFuture]

Then HOLD-CLICK for a second and the Windows-style Start Menu appears. You can also RIGHT-CLICK if you have a two buttoned mouse (like me).

the little delay it takes for the window to open is because of those zillion files. to speed that up, you can make a new folder, and simply drop shortcuts/alias' of your favorite applications into that folder, and drag it to the the dock. as long as only alias' are in there, it should pop open faster when you right click on it. of course, seeing as how it is not the applications folder, you'll have to add an alias of any new software you install to that alias folder.

if your looking for other 3rd party software to emulate the windows menu-like os9 menu bar - check out for more options.