Thanks for all the input!

Guake wasn't what I wanted so thought I'd install LXDE and have at it
(as Steve mentioned). Seems OK so far even with xfce-terminal in
dropdown mode. Time will tell.. hotkey configuration is a bit annoying
but oh well. XML beats a registry any day ;)


PS:
Found out today my DNG subscription was "disabled due to excessive
bounces" so wasn't getting any mail off this list. Seems fixed now
(after logging into gmail interface and clicking dng-request link to
re-enable).