Method for selecting position-dependent actions of computer applications programs

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention provides a method which allows the user alternatives for selecting a computer application program action which is dependent on the position of a display cursor.
An application program menu contains a textual or symbolic description of the position-dependent action with a direct-manipulation icon adjacent thereto.
If a computer display cursor is located at the point at which the computer user wishes the action to be performed, the user places a moveable pointer on the action's description and selects the action.
Alternatively, if the display cursor is not located at the point at which the user wishes the action to be performed, the user places the moveable pointer on the direct-manipulation icon, moves the icon to the desired display position, and selects the action.
In addition to acting as a means for selecting the position-dependent action, the direct-manipulation icon acts as a visual cue to remind the user to verify the position of the display cursor before selecting the position-dependent action.
To provide an additional visual cue to the user, when a menu containing a position-dependent action is displayed, the material on which the program is acting is repositioned, if necessary, to make the position of the display cursor visible to the user.