wifi - bottom panel in Ubuntu

[Lenny]

Hi,
Fed up with the troubles in Ubuntu 11.10, I installed Ubuntu 10.10.
I need to connect to my home router, and I either don't remember, or maybe 
it isn't where I think it is, but I would like to find out how to get to the 
bottom panel, or the wireless networks available.
I don't want to have to create a wireless connection in the system 
networking, I would prefer to open the icon for my router.
All help appreciated.
Thanks.

Glenn