developing GNOME applications

Hi,

I am a newbie when it comes to desktop applications.
I have some experience with Swing, but that's it.

That said, I don't like Swing :-)

I would like to develop an application for Gnome using the Java GTK+ bindings.
The application will only run on Linux, and will use GCJ and Classpath.
I am not interested in cross-platform compatibility, as this application will be too integrated with Linux, that is why I don't really consider SWT/JFace unless it is superior to the GTK+ bindings in regards to performance (not likely) or ease of use.

But where should I start ?
Do you have any references to GTK+ documentation (preferably for Java) ?
Any good books ?

Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
[ April 25, 2006: Message edited by: Alex Nedelcu ]

The Java Gnome website would be a good start, looks like they got beginner tutorials, etc. http://java-gnome.sourceforge.net/cgi-bin/bin/view