While reading comments for “Linux Mint 12 preview” I've seen that a lot of users really don't like the top panel and that there is probably no easy way of removing it. I think that a possible solution for this problem would be using “Window Applets” in the top panel:

http://gnome-look.org/content/show.php?content=103732

Of course, the Applets would have to be ported to gtk3 - which could require quite time-consuming - that's why I'd like to outline the advantages of taking such a step. On a positive note, the Applets developer supports the idea – see the above-mentioned site - page 17 of the comments section.

1. The top panel would actually be changed into a title bar with additional features (like the system tray). Obviously, the title bar of the maximized windows would be removed thus saving some vertical space. This way the upper part of the desktop would be very similar to what the users had for many years – title bar on the very top and window buttons in the very top right hand corner. It is a very important design feature as the Applets' author puts it: “GNOME violates Fitts's Law by putting a panel between the maxed window buttons and the corner of the screen. The user has to be able to interact with (aka to click) the buttons even if the mouse cursor is at the very edge of the screen.  It is the main reason why I started the project”

http://www.roboimages.com/image/ri68006/Screenshot 1.png

2. Window Buttons in the Applets have a wonderful option to control not only the maximized windows but also any focused window. It may seem that it's not a very important feature but after using it for a couple of months it's really hard to imagine the desktop without it. Because of that I think that making “Window Applets” a part of the default Mint desktop would significantly improve its productivity.

http://www.roboimages.com/image/ri68007/Screenshot 2.png

3. People who don't need the window title could remove the applet and use the space for window list, thus having all the basic controls on the top panel – which, IMHO, also improves the productivity of the desktop.

http://www.roboimages.com/image/ri68008/Screenshot 3.png

4. Since the proposed solution is about applets, people who don't like them could easily switch them off and configure the desktop the way they want it. I think that the more configurable the Mint desktop is the more users would choose it and use it with pleasure.

If possible, before voting please try using the applets on top of Gnome 2 desktop for a while – just to get the feel of what I' proposing.

If You choose 'demote' I'd highly appreciate a short justification.