I'd suggest 'panel people' have a look at Xubuntu.

I don't expect Canonical to do anything, but I'd like them to include the Xubuntu desktop packages in the long term release support cycle as an option for users.

Xubuntu and Xfce is fine, but it's still a regression from gnome2 in allot of ways.

It doesn't group windows on the panel as well as gnome 2 does.

You lose allot of the nice easy features from gnome2 for doing things like using shared files or printers from windows computers.

The panel is allot less flexible and harder to configure. There are also less panel applets available.

Mouse-button back doesn't work in several parts of the interface.

I'm sure there are workarounds for many of these issues but for an out of the box experience it is still a regression.

Ever since I switched to xfce, I've got some really annoying bugs too:

* Key bindings for switching keyboard layouts don't persist, I have to reconfigure them every time I reboot or X restarts

* Auto-suspend when lid is closed no longer works reliably. I sometimes find a really hot laptop in my bag after a while.

That said, XFce is much nicer than Unity.

It is, no doubt but it's not really something you can switch to to get your gnome2 back.

If I had more free time I would love to contribute to something like Xfce (or E17) and turn them into a first class Desktop Environment.

That's the spirit. I suspect that the XFCE project will get far more support now if only from individuals scratching their itches.