Talk:Start menu

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[edit] Not needed?

"Technically, the Start Menu is not needed at all, as any programs and files can be opened by navigating to them in the Windows Explorer interface. " But to open Windows Explorer, one has to right mouse click on Start Menu, right?--Mongol 18:54, 23 January 2006 (UTC)

windows explorer can be accessed through the 'windows key + e' keyboard shortcut. supine 16:39, 4 February 2006 (UTC)

Or open "My computer" on the desktop ... or shortcut 'WIN + R' and type in the desired folder ... or add it as a shortcut to the quicklaunch-bar ... or add an appropriate additional panel to the task bar ... or use a third-party program launch application, like a dock ... nuff said? — Mütze 22:39, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

Anyone who used the Explorer to run programs is 14 years out of date with advances (like using MS-DOS Executive to run a proggie). Still, if used like a Mac, which is document-centric, then a user could use the Explorer to find a document, then double-click it to launch the appropriate program. Just my 2 cents.--David Spalding 14:33, 6 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Is Microsoft the inventor of Start Menu?

Hello!

I would like to know if Microsoft invented the Start menu, or took the idea from another operating system. --82.227.246.168 04:07, 20 February 2006 (UTC)

Depends on how you look at it. The idea that a user "starts" using their applications from a single button in the corner of the screen was almost certainly a Microsoft thing... but Mac System 7 (which came out in 1991) did introduce a more flexible "Apple" menu that a user could have arbitrary items on. and even in 1995 was fairly flexible in what could be placed in it. Apple didn't emphasise the use of the Apple menu for being a general-purpose application launcher, though... it still focused on the use of the Finder to navigate to applications. Warrens 04:29, 20 February 2006 (UTC)

Thank you. Is it worth mentioning in the article? --CutterX 05:28, 21 February 2006 (UTC)

Yes. Also, the aritcle is too pro-Start Menu. It should be pointed out that from the Mac point of view, the whole thing is just a kludge designed to cover up the cruftiness of the standard Windows directory system. --220.52.172.91

I believe writing from a "point of view" isn't something desirable in an encyclopedia. Besides, what about the dock? How does one launch an application in OS X? If not through the dock or desktop, then through the filesystem, correct?--24.68.141.169 21:03, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

This may just be a rumor, but the way I heard it Commodore (or it may have been Amiga Corporation at the time) actually were the first to introduce a "Start Menu", and actually patented the idea. However, the person in charge of renewing the patent forgot to and Microsoft jumped on the opportunity to include it in their OS. But again, that's just a rumor and I can't find anything to back it up.OPaul 05:01, 22 October 2006 (UTC)

It's too easy to point at a WIMP GUI and say, "they stole that idea." Apple tried in 1988. Since the Wikipedia espouses a NPOV, IMHO it's not appropriate to weigh in on these decades old arguments other to identify that there is some controversy over it. Couldn't MS say that Apple stole hte "quick launch toolbar" idea for their "dock?" Sure, but things like floating/docked toolbars are not unique ... Norton Desktop 2.0 had 'em, I'm sure earlier WIMPs had them. See how murky this gets? --David Spalding 14:38, 6 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Tweaks and tricks

A user is trying to put specific tweaks into the page. Let's not initiate an "edit war," but I think a paragraph describing "there are undocumented features" is okay. Discussion? In accordance with WP:NOT, I think the less details, the better. --David Spalding 15:38, 6 November 2006 (UTC)

Agreed, tips and tricks are not particular encyclopedic - OPaul 22:24, 6 November 2006 (UTC)