How do I focus on the status bar with keyboard in Ubuntu 11.10?

Question

Connecting to internet is only the time when I really need to use my mouse.

I give priority to my keyboard. I only use mouse when I'm tired of using keyboard or in the condition I listed above.

Actually I can't focus on the status bar. What's the keyboard shortcut to focus there?

(By status bar, I mean the panel where time, network status etc. are shown.)

Answer 1

Assuming you are using Unity, press Alt-F10. That will put the focus on the statusbar.

Now move with arrow keys.

Answer 2

Alt + F10 moves the focus to the top bar.
Now to select the indicator applet items, use the left arrow key <.

Answer 3

Press and hold the Win key to show available shortcuts. You will see that Alt-F10 focuses on the indicator applets, and using cursor keys you can navigate them.

Of course, you can change that shortcut.

Answer 4

Pressing F10 (just F10) opens up the first dropdown. And then arrow keys can be used to navigate.

_{From @ams's answer}