Panel problem "applications" tab suddenly stopped working

[Susan Cragin]

I just installed Studio. No errors for a boot or so, then the "Applications tab in the panel suddenly stopped working. 
Re-installed, same problem. 
Now every 3rd boot or so it takes forever to come up and when it does the gnome-settings daemon is at fault.
Something is up. In Ubuntu Gutsy, my prior OS, the windows manager suddenly stopped loading automatically. 
What's up?
I guess I should file a bug, but is there a workaround?