Install the GNOME 3 packages using apt (gnome-shell and gnome-panel should get you most of what you need) and run them in fallback mode. The GNOME 3 fallback mo

Install the GNOME 3 packages using apt (gnome-shell and gnome-panel should get you most of what you need) and run them in fallback mode. The GNOME 3 fallback mode is pretty close to the GNOME 2 experience, although it is missing a couple of features that some people may want (e.g., panel applets). I've been using Oneiric this way for months and I'm pretty happy with it.