Binary package hint: xubuntu-default-settings
With the 'File Manager' option gone from the top of the 'Applications' menu, it is too hard to find the file manager on Xubuntu right now. There needs to be a quicker way to access it than searching for it among the many entries in the 'System' submenu.
If a 'Places' menu won't happen for feisty, I would recommend to add a launcher next to the firefox launcher in the top panel. I know that we don't want to clutter the panel too much, but accessing the file manager is really important, and having only the firefox launcher there is also visually not very appealing, IMHO. also, since most of the space on the top panel will stay empty for most users, it's not wasting space to have more launchers.
I know that you can start thunar by clicking on the 'examples' folder, but that should not be the regular way to access it, in my opinion.
Note:
If Xubuntu wants to follow the lead of Gnome-Ubuntu, which it already does with respect due to panel setup, then there should also be launchers for the email app (thunderbird) and a way to access help (open firefox with xubuntu desktop guide open?). (See here: http://shots.osdir.com/slideshows/slideshow.php?release=751&slide=4 for comparison).
I can confirm this. Way too many users in #xubuntu ask where they can find the file manager.