Re: Fedora
If it's a new install with nothing much configured yet, then it's probably best to wipe it and try again with a different desktop.
I've tried Fedora with Xfce and MATE as well as GNOME. I personally prefer Xfce: it's smaller, simpler, uses less memory, and does a vertical taskbar very well.
Other people prefer MATE, which has the classic GNOME 2 look. It's not so good at vertical panels, though. That matters to me but it might not to you.