Transset not working with gnome-panel Because the gnome-panel is not a normal window, transset will not work. Get the transset-df deb package, unpackage and install it. tar xvzf transset-df.tar.gz sudo dpkg -i transset-df.deb Then create a script: #!/bin/bash transset-df -n "Bottom Panel" .4 exit Where: .4 is the transparency amount, .4 gives 40% transparency "Bottom Panel" is the name of the taskbar, to find its name ON YOUR DESKTOP run: xwininfo -root -children -all | grep "gnome-panel" | less One of the lines that turn up will be the identifer of the panel e.g. "Top Panel", in which case use that instead. If you have two panels running, then duplicate the line in the script, each name on one line Then save the script, make it executable, and add it to your start-up. See http://compiz.ed3n.com/viewtopic.php?id=45 for a discusion