Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!ALBION.BITNET!SASQUATCH
From: SASQUATCH@ALBION.BITNET ("Kevin Lepard,  629-1827", 517)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple
Subject: Suggestion for new feature in next GS system software
Message-ID: <8912191931.AA25577@apple.com>
Date: 19 Dec 89 19:30:00 GMT
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Organization: The Internet
Lines: 33

I've got a suggestion for a new feature in a new version of GS system
software (whenever such a beast might be released).

In MSWord on the Mac, you can pull down and access menus from the keyboard.
This is done by hitting the "." key on the numeric keypad followed by a
number, 0 to X, where the number is the menu you want to pull down.  Then
you can select features by using the arrow and return keys.  For example,
if I want to pull down the NDA menu, I hit "." then "0" which pulled it
down, then highlighted the NDA I wanted, then pressed return.  I believe
ESC exited, and the left and right arrows could be used to move between
menus (not sure about that last part, it's been a while).

This is a really great feature.  It would allow macro programs to access
any feature in a program without having to fuss with mouse movements and
clicks, and would allow those of us who are highly proficient with
keyboards and numeric keypads and find the mouse to be an annoyance and
inconvenience to use pull-down menus from the keyboard.

It seems to me that if this were implemented in system software (in a tool
or keyboard manager or something?) it would work with any properly designed
commercial software currently available.

What do others think about this?  Do you think this is a good idea or am I
all alone here?

To Apple folks, is this something that could be done?  And if it is, what
is the best way for me to push to have it accomplished in the next version
of system software?

Just thinkin'.....

Kevin Lepard
Bitnet:  Sasquatch@albion.bitnet