Keeping one’s desktop clean is very worthwhile. I use the QuickLaunch bar (the group of icons next to the start button) for all program shortcuts, to keep them off of the desktop. I also regularly file everything on the desktop. I am not one of those persons who doesn’t keep anything on the desktop, though. The desktop metaphor, though flawed, works just fine for me, thanks. But I am only recently coming to terms with background images – I used to find them gauche.