GIMP: layers/channels/paths window

GIMP: layers/channelspaths window not opening upon launch

Totally new to image manipulation software.

last week I enabled GIMP and noticed that when you launch it, two windows open:
1. Gimp itself - the narrow horizontal window with all the tool in it.
2. Another window that appears to be called "layers, channels, and paths"

I launched GIMP last night and noticed that only the GIMP window itself opened: the layers/channels/paths window did not.

Poked around in preferences and didn't find anything. Going to File>Dialogs> and clicking the individual layers, channels, and paths options doesn't seem to bring up the same window that now is gone.

Also, how do you install the GIMP help files so you don't have to go online to access them?

 

To get the layers/paths/channels window back, open an image and click on the 'Dialogs' menu item, then 'Create New Dock'. One of the options is ' layers / channels / paths '.

To install the help, install the package called 'gimp-help' (logically enough!) using the add/remove software system.