Adding desktop shortcuts to taskbar

First I apologize for using Windows terminology but I am not yet conversant with the Linux GUI terms. Slowly moving from Windows to Linux.

I want to create shortcuts like the Quick Launch buttons in Windows. In Windows it is as easy as dragging a desktop shortcut on to the Quick Launch bar. How do I do that in OpenSuSE 11? All I see is the option to add widgets which are pre-programmed shortcuts. I want to add OpenOffice Writer and Spreadsheet and other programs which I installed using Wine.

Thanks
Arun