The Launcher doesn't seem to exist on my Ubunbu v 15. Clocking on the 2nd icon from the top of the menu strip (Dash?) does not show anything about the Launcher. What is Unity and is it important to this problem.
Thanks

I'm not on Ubuntu right now but if I recall correctly, the second icon on the panel is the file manager, nautilus if you have the standard install. The dash is the Ubuntu logo at the top which you can use as a menu or to search for folders/files and applications. As for what is Unity, see the link below.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unity_(user_interface)

What exactly are you trying to 'launch'?

Well, two things. The first was a success; I downloaded Cream (GUI editor) and added it to the StartUp apps. By dragging that entry (in the StartUp list) to the desktop did produce a working shortcut icon, OK.

Now, I umpinned the LibreOffice Writer from the LH panel and dragged it to the desktop and it disappeared. I have no idea how to get it back either to the panel or to the desktop. Using the method above didn't work probably because I don't know the exact command to use.

There doesn't seem to be a option of starting the launcher directly from the LH panel or Desktop in any case. Why didn't Ubuntu offer a Shortcut option (like Windows?)
Thanks