I loaded the new SUSE 11 on my computer at work, and now cannot find how to "unclutter windows". There is an equipment control panel that disappears and the only ways to retrieve it is to unclutter windows or completely restart the application! Appreciate your help.

I'm not sure what "unclutter windows" means. Is this when you have too many programs open? If so, to keep programs going, but to remove some windows from the desktop that you're using, you should be able to right-click on the program area of the panel (or right click on the top frame of the window, and/or on the top left-hand corner), and then choose to send the window to a new desktop (desktop 2, or 3, or 4). This way, you can have some windows open in one desktop, and other windows open in other desktops (which you can peruse at your leisure), thereby reducing your clutter.

On SUSE 10.3 there is a selection if you right-click on the desktop, select windows -> unclutter windows. For the program I'm using this brings the instrument panel back to visible (why it's disappearing is a question I've asked of the manufacturer's software gurus, it totally disappears from the desktop).
I'm only using one specialized electronic measurement system, that all windows have to be on the same desktop to control the equipment/measure my data.

On SUSE 11 all I can find is the name of my instrument panel down in the panel tray. I have had some success maximizing this panel tray item then restoring the window. I have tried selecting various desktops and that didn't find the missing window panel either.
Hope this helps explain things better. Thanks.