[ale] Thunderbird icons

[n4zm at mindspring.com (zeb morgan)]

All:

I would like to use Thunderbird under Slackware 10.1.  I installed it (I 
thought) according to the directions.  It filled my screen with a 
truckload of icons.  I don't like the look, and I do not know what, if 
any, benefit come from having them there.

Anyone have any idea of how I can prevent these icons from showing up?  
Or what use they may be?

Thanks, Zeb Morgan