[Usability] Reasoning behind default panel setup?

[David Tenser <djst mozilla gmail com>]

This is my first post in this mailing list. Hopefully, I won't break any
conventions or add too much noise, but if I do, just tell me to shut up. :)

I was wondering if there is any document explaining the reasoning behind
the default Gnome panels? Like why two panels were chosen when the top
one is mostly empty, the contents of them e.g. the workspace switcher,
the rationale behind the separation chosen (e.g. why trash can belongs
to task switching, etc.).

I will eventually have some things to say about the decisions (I hinted
some of it above), but first of all I want to read up on the subject and
make sure I know what I'm talking about.

Cheers,

David Tenser