GNOME has a couple of helpful methods for Logging out. You may either use the Logout menu item or the Logout button.
The Logout menu item is the first menu item you will find in the Main Menu. Simply select the Logout menu item and you will be prompted on whether you would like to log out or not. Select Yes and your GNOME session will end.
If you would like, you may add the Logout button to the Panel. This is just another method for logging out, it does not provide you any other functionality than the Logout menu item other than a pretty button. To add the Logout button to the Panel right mouse click on the Panel and select the Add logout button menu item from the pop-up menu. Once the button is there you may press it to log out.
NOTE: If you are running a window manager that is GNOME compliant the logout feature will quit the window manager as well as GNOME. If you are not running such a window manager you will have to end that window manager yourself.
The Logout dialog will display when you log out of GNOME. If you would like you may select the Ask next time chekbox if you would not like to see this dialog the next time you log out.
One feature you may wish to use is to not display a Panel with your GNOME session. You may do this in the Logout dialog by pressing the Only terminate panel button.
IMPORTANT: This feature is for advanced users who are using a window manager that offers them the options they wish to use for launching applications and controlling their system. It is not recommended for the new user to remove their Panel as it is the heart of the GNOME desktop.