Xfce: Classic panel layout in the style of Gnome 2 or Windows XP

Xfce Show archive.org snapshot gives you a million options to configure your panels. Together with Xfce's sometimes arcane configuration UI, this can be a huge time waster and super-annoying if you need to get work done the same day.

This card describes how to setup a classic panel layout as you might be used to from Gnome 2 or Windows (see screenshot below). You can use this to quickly get productive in Xfce, and as a starting point for further customization.

• One task bar on the bottom of each monitor
• One panel on the top of the first monitor, containing all other items:
  • Left-aligned items:
    • Applications menu
    • Separator
    • Quicklaunch icons for commonly used applications (add a Launcher item for each)
  • Right-aligned items (align using a separator):
    • Workspace switcher
      • Configure three workspace named "1", "2", "3"
      • Disable miniature views in the item preferences
    • Action button for "Lock screen"
    • Action button for "Log out button" (you can also shutdown with this)
    • Mixer (for volume control)
    • Notification area
    • Separator
    • Clock with date and time
      • In the item preferences, use a custom format %d.%m. %R

Have fun with Xfce!