[Usability]Question: Direct manipulation & panels

[John F Dixon Iv <John Dixon ndsu nodak edu>]

Why is the trash can located on the desktop? Why is it not located on a 
panel?
It seems to me that it is a pain to have to dig underneath all of my 
windows to put something in the trash. I know there are other ways to 
remove a file, but it just seems like a panel would be a better place 
for the trash can for those users who actually drag files to the trash 
can. If dragging files onto icons on the panel were allowed, it would be 
really easy to delete files, print files, or enqueue songs in xmms, etc. 
But, by placing them on the desktop makes this too hard.
Are their plans to allow users to drag files onto icons on the panel?
thanks,
john