Start menu operation for computer user interface

At least one computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions, which when executed perform steps, comprising:

• detecting activation of a start menu;
• determining how the start menu was activated from among a plurality of possible activation types;
• when the start menu was activated via a first activation type, presenting a first start menu/behavior usable for performing an operation from a first set of operations;
• and
• when the start menu was activated via a second activation type, presenting a second start menu/behavior usable for performing an operation from a second set of operations, the first and second sets of operations being unique sets of operations.

In a computing environment having at least one computing device, a method comprising:

• providing a start menu;
• determining whether the start menu was invoked via a pointing device or via keyboard, wherein the pointing device enables invocation of the start menu via a first actuation method and a second actuation method, and the keyboard enables invocation of the start menu via a third actuation method and a fourth actuation method;
• when the start menu was invoked via the first actuation method of the pointing device, providing a first plurality of applications which can be activated via further interaction with the pointing device;
• when the start menu was invoked via the second actuation method of the pointing device, providing a second plurality of applications which can be activated via further interaction with the pointing device, wherein the first plurality of applications is different from the second plurality of applications;
• when the start menu was invoked via the third actuation method of the keyboard, providing a third plurality of applications which can be activated via interaction with the keyboard or the pointing device and a first search entry region by which a user may directly enter search criteria via further interaction with the keyboard;
• and
• when the start menu was invoked via the fourth actuation method of the keyboard, providing a fourth plurality of applications which can be activated via interaction with the keyboard or the pointing device and a second search entry region by which a user may directly enter search criteria via further interaction with the keyboard, wherein the first search entry region is adapted to provide search capabilities different from the second search entry region.