What is the global floating taskbar and Configure Taskbar menu?

While testing bug report 1399 after building the latest package set, I notice a note at the bottom of the taskbar configuration dialog mentioning the global floating taskbar and to use the Configure Taskbar menu. I have no idea what this floating taskbar is and I cannot find any Configure Taskbar menu item. Bug report 1399 remains open --- toggling the 'Show application Icons' check box has no effect on my system. Darrell