[tsimionescu]

It's so straightforward you can't even switch to another window without pressing a separate button first!

The Gnome designers have apparently discovered that taskbars are attention vampires and a detriment to users.

[Octabrain]

I don't get your point. I just use two ways:

1. With mouse -> Up left corner (a.k.a hot corner) -> Click on the window I want.

2. With keyboard -> Alt + Tab -> Select the window I want.

I find that quite straight forward. Again, it's a personal thing.

[addicted]

No one installs Gnome on their computers.

You install a distro that includes Gnome. Did your distro choose not to package a taskbar extension? That’s a good hint your distro is not intended to be an end user distro.

99% of Gnome users have a taskbar.