XFCE has a control panel similar to KDE's where you can configure it centrally.
It usually has the panel at the bottom, like KDE. You are right that it has a
Gnome feel to it as well. It has simple lines and simple menu structure like
Gnome. However the menu looks more like KDE's, all in one column instead of
spread across three columns. It bridges the gap between Gnome and KDE which is
why I said he may like it.

I had been using XFCE for the better part of last week. Like with all desktops
there are things to like and things to dislike. I like that it is highly
configurable, but still keeps it simple. I don't like its file manager and some
other applications that it uses by default, but it will run just about anything.
Beware though if you run Nautilus as you will lose your desktop including all of
the icons, devices and wallpaper. The reason is that Nautilus is part of the
Gnome desktop and XFCE is made to work in conjunction with other desktops and
Gnome can overlay XFCE. The only way to get back to pure XFCE is to go into the
task manager and kill the Nautilus process or logout and back in. Similar things
can happen with Enlightenment and Nautilus. KDE applications work well in XFCE
and do not overlay the desktop.

I found that Compiz works really well in XFCE, since it is faster than either
Gnome or KDE. Overall it was a positive experience. I used it both on my desktop
computer and with my eeePC, just to see how the wireless would work and the
wireless worked as expected. I am back in Gnome now, BTW.