1. On the desktop, right-click on the Computer (This computer?) icon and choose
"Properties"
2. Realize that the properties panel does not include a tab with properties for
the *object* you expect it to represent (ie, the *computer*)

It's not logical as it is now - you choose to see/edit the *properties* for the
*computer* you are using - shouldn't you be able to view/edit the different
types of properties it has? (network settings, keyboard, printing, etc). If each
icon on the desktop represents an object (in this case: the computer you're on),
shouldn't the *properties* for that *object* be visible/editable if you choose
so? I mean, what good are properties for an *icon*...? (That's what it is now..)

Suggestion: add a tab with the items from the "System Settings" submenu of the
main menu in one column, and a listing of the values in the other (maybe only if
the user has admin rights). Both columns could be greyed out (or not visible at
all) until the user has entered the root password, to adhere to the semantics of
clicking on launchers in the System Settings submenu.