Maybe I've missed it but I'm looking for how to pin apps to the taskbar(the default panel), you have dolphin, amung a few others pinned but I haven't found an easy way of pinning apps. Is there a file I have to edit?

This can be done in one of two ways.
The first involves dragging the application launchers from the Kickoff menu on to the panel, which should make a space for the icon to be added to.
The second involves checking "Show A Launcher When Not Running", which is available in the right click menu of any currently running window.