Adding Items to Menu

[manpower101 at cox.net]

Noob here;

I've noticed when I add packages using Synaptic that they often don't show up in the menu.  I've been adding them manually, but that's a bit more of a pain then I care to endure.  I saw something in another thread regarding a sudo command, but (since I'm on the road) haven't had much chance to research it or give it a try.  Can somebody elaborate on why some apps make it to the menu and some don't, and what the easiest/best way to add them is?

Thanks,

Mike