Menu

A menu is a graphical interface, which contains a list of different options available to a computer user. Depending on the type layout, the menu may be located almost anywhere. For PC users, the main menu containing a list of available programs is called "Start," located on the bottom left of most PC screens (example 1). For Apple users, the main menu is located at the top of the screen (example 2). The menu is not to be confused with program toolbars, in which both platforms contain. The menu is more or less the main function to access programs and options for users.


 * example 1:**

http://blogs.sun.com/fatbloke/resource/4.3%20Integrated%20Start%20Menu.jpg


 * example 2:**

http://arstechnica.com/reviews/01q2/macos-x-final/images/apple-menu.jpg

Unless your site is small you will probably need a number of submenu pages that users enter from a general category listing on your home page. In complex sites with multiple topic areas it is not practical to burden the home page with dozens of links — the page grows too long to load in a timely manner, and its sheer complexity may be off-putting to many users. Providing a submenu page for each topic will create a mini-home page for each section of the site. For specialized, detailed submenus you could even encourage frequent users to link there directly. In this way the submenus will become alternate home pages in "subsites" oriented to a specific audience. Be sure to include a basic set of links to other sections of the site on each subsite home page, and always include a link back to your main organization home page.
 * Submenu**



http://www.thefreedictionary.com/menu
 * Other Sources:**

"Web Style Guide: TYPOGRAHY" 5 Mar 2004, Lynch and Horton. Jan 26, 2008 http://www.webstyleguide.com/site/menus.html
 * Work Cited**