[IxDA Discuss] 2 part button - industry standard?

[Meredith Noble]

> The intended interaction is that the user checks off
> one or several line items and then clicks anywhere on the two part
> "select a task" button and sees menu options (delete, assign a tag,
> etc).

Elisabeth, can you clarify -- how is it a two-part button if you can
click anywhere on it and get the same result (a menu)? Isn't it just a
regular drop-down menu at that point, albeit perhaps with a different
graphic design?

I'm very curious because I've been designing a similar inbox-style
interface. If you've found a role for an actual two-part button I'd be
interested in knowing what the two different click actions you've
defined are.

Thanks!

Meredith