Getting stuff done in Ubuntu - desktop stuff

The default desktop for Ubuntu is called Gnome.

Adding program shortcuts ("launchers") to the Taskbar menu:
Select the "System" menu, the "Preferences" sub-menu, then the "Menu Layout" option, then select a folder, then click on an italicised option, and it will changed to normal text unless it wasn't installed.

Adding program shortcuts ("launchers") to the Taskbar.
Find the program launcher in a Task bar sub-menu, right-click on it and select "Add this launcher to panel".

Adding program shortcuts ("launchers") to the desktop:
Find the program launcher in a Task bar sub-menu, right-click on it and select "Add this launcher to desktop".

To see the desktop when another program is running:
Left-click on the blue, white and grey icon on the left of the Window List, probably at the very bottom of the screen.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------