The Macintosh menu at the left end of the menu bar, indicated by the Apple logo. A quick and simple way to gain access to control panels, desk accessories, applicaitons, folders, or anything else you choose to put in the Apple Menu Items folder. I have an alias of all my hard drives in the Apple Menu, so every application and document on my computer is one click away. In addition, the Apple Menu contains easy access to memory allocation information and apps' "about" boxes. A well-organized Apple Menu is usually a sign of some decent level of Macintosh proficiency.

Shamelessly ripped off by Microsoft's still inferior Start button. In danger of being inadequately replaced by the Mac OS X dock.