gnome-panel

gnome-panel [options]

--replace
    Replaces any currently running panel instance.

--reset
    Resets the panel configuration to its default settings.

--version
    Displays the version information.

--display=DISPLAY
    Specifies the X display to use.

--oaf-ior-fd=FD
    File descriptor to write the object activation framework IOR to.

--oaf-activate-iid=IID
    IID to activate.

--sm-client-id=ID
    Specifies the session management client ID.

--disable-factory
    Do not register factory to fast activation

--help
    Show help options

The gnome-panel command is the core process responsible for displaying the panels in the GNOME desktop environment. It provides a customizable area typically located at the top and/or bottom of the screen where users can place application launchers, applets (small mini-programs), and window lists, among other things. The panel serves as a central hub for desktop navigation and application access. gnome-panel handles displaying and managing these interface elements. It allows users to add, remove, and re-arrange elements on the panels, tailoring the desktop environment to their workflow. It is configurable through the GUI but it also has a command-line interface. The panel manages the visual layout of the desktop environment and allows interaction through both keyboard and mouse input. It can also be configured to automatically hide or stay on top, enhancing the usability of the environment.

Historically, it's been a core component of GNOME, but it has been superceded in modern GNOME versions.

gnome-panel is largely obsolete in modern GNOME environments (GNOME 3 and later), having been replaced by GNOME Shell and its extension system. It might not be available or functional on newer distributions. Using the obsolete gnome-panel could lead to unpredictable behavior.

gnome-panel supported various applets, which were small applications embedded within the panel. Examples include a system monitor, volume control, network manager, and a clock. These applets provided quick access to essential functions directly from the panel.

The panel was highly customizable. Users could add multiple panels, reposition them on the screen, change their size and transparency, and add or remove launchers and applets to suit their needs. This flexibility allowed for a personalized desktop experience.

gnome-panel was a central part of the GNOME 2 desktop environment, providing the primary means of launching applications and managing windows. It evolved over several iterations, adding features like applet support and greater customization. However, with the introduction of GNOME 3, the panel's role was significantly reduced and eventually replaced by the GNOME Shell. The decision was made to streamline the user interface and integrate panel functionality more directly into the core desktop environment.

It was a stable and relatively well-understood application during its time as a core GNOME component, but it is now considered legacy software.

gnome-session(1)