Why second panel is needed?
Second panel is one of the GNOME differences from others DE like KDE.
I think, top panel is only grey wide line that takes place on 99% users desktops.
GNOME Panel doesn�t give possibility to find necessary application and don't be misled in menu lists.
These 3 menu items grow up, but work with system is more and more harder with them.
Users don�t have easy possibility get what they want, and what they really use.
Yes, of course! You can customize all you want. But it�s not GNOME ideology!
Second panel is excellent method to take place.
Button of fast access to often used applications and directories will be more easy-to-use.
Common user rare add applets to second panel. And others do it only because they wanted that this panel would be wanted.
And what common user know difference Administration applications from Preferences in System menu.
Miguel de Icaza uses openSUSE with Windows-like menu.
Lets remove second panel and create normal frequently used applications menu button!