you can make your own xsession. am on netbook and using super-wingpanel, compiz and cairo-dock
youtube video
you can make it easy:
sudo apt-get install cairo-dock
sudo apt-add-repository ppa:heathbar/super-wingpanel
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install super-wingpanel
gksudo gedit /usr/share/xsessions/your_name
then in gedit:
[Desktop Entry]
Name=your name
Comment=
Exec=gnome-session --session=your_name
TryExec=gnome-session
Icon=
Type=Application
save...
next:
gedit /usr/share/gnome-session/sessions/your_name
and in gedit:
[GNOME Session]
Name=your_name Session
RequiredComponents=gnome-settings-daemon;
RequiredProviders=windowmanager;panel;panel_top;
DefaultProvider-windowmanager=compiz
DefaultProvider-panel=cairo-dock
DefaultProvider-panel_top=super-wingpanel
DesktopName=GNOME
&logout...
if you are advanced user, instead compiz, set openbox, gala, mutter, metacity.....
instead cairo-dock or super-wingpanel you can set any other dock or panel