How do I use the HUD?

Solution 1:

The benefits of HUD are several that I have experience in this last days. For instance:

• Use Case: GIMP

  I did not know where some options were in the menus of sub-menus but I knew what they were called and in some cases I only knew part of the word. HUD saved me time by just typing a part of the word and found what I was looking for. Here is the example of it (I was looking for the Diffraction Patterns option):

  

• Use Case: Firefox / Chrome

  When browsing you would like to do some stuff quicker, here are some images that will give you an idea:

  In Firefox I am trying to access a Web Developers Addon option about clearing all styles from web pages when I view them. This is a 3 to 5 click menu option depending on how you get to it. With HUD is faster.

  

  In Chrome I am trying to clear the history and other stuff. HUD made it easier.

  

• Use Case: Wireless Network Sharing

  To create a Wireless Network Share you just type Net and the first option is the one.

  

• Use Case: Connecting to Known Wireless Hotspot

  I wanted to connect to the Wireless Router in the house so I...

  

• Use Case: Third Party Apps

  Even works with 3rd party apps like VirtualBox:

  

And this is only the tip of the iceberg. The amount of time that HUD saves is one factor. The other is to quickly find options in a new program that you are learning. So it is very good for learning something.

To use it you just press the Left ALT button after selecting the App you want HUD to work with and start typing anything that might appear in the menus or sub-menus of an app.

Solution 2:

I hate when someone posts an URL as an answer, and I usually downvote them, but in this case, the old saying is true: an image is worth a thousand words. And this video is worth a thousand answers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_WW-DHqR3c

(and it's an official Canonical video from the Development Team)

That said, the default trigger to the HUD is a tap on alt key.

Solution 3:

HUD is an alternative to the traditional menu bar of a window. It haves the same options, but you use it writing orders, instead of finding an option. It also remembers the most used options, so you can access quicklier to your menus.

And why is it less useful than the traditional menus? Is the same, but faster and easier (in some cases). Also remember that the traditional menus are still there.

To use it, just press the Alt key, type your order, and click it or press Enter. Done!

A screenshot of HUD: