Contained on the desktop (located on the left-hand-side) are '''icons'''. Theseicons can represent '''hardware devices''', '''applications''', and other items suchas '''documents''', '''pictures''', '''music''', etc... The user can open these files orrun these applications by pointing and double-clicking on the icon.

Usually appearing along the edge of the desktop, panels are areas that containadditional elements to assist the user to operate in the desktop environment. There is usually a primary and secondary panel that is created upon install. The Primary panel may contains the following: * '''Start Menu''' (to launch applications)* '''Program Launchers''' (launch by clicking on icon)* '''Notification Area''' (Displaying Date and Time, System Updates, etc...)  The Secondary panel may contain the following: * '''Windows List''' (displaying all running application windows)* '''Workspace Switcher''' (Switch to difference desktop)* '''Trash Bin''' (Stores Deleted Files) The user can remove or add any number of panels to their desktop. They can also add or remove any elements that appear on the panel. Programs or applications that appear on the panel are referred to as applets. To add an applet to/from the panel, simply right-click on an empty area on the panel, and select "Add to Panel" and select an applet from the list of applets that appear.