I thought I’d show off my desktop, and explain some of the things I’ve done to it. If you’re interested in modding your desktop, I can give some basic tips and where to start.

1. Background: Searching for good wallpapers is a real pain, even when using google. I’ve found that the top ranked search results for “desktop backgrounds” and such lead to either super-artsy pages or shady ones which both have page layouts like they were designed in the 90’s. My suggestion is you check out 4scrape.
It is a image database that updates regularly, so no matter what kind of wallpaper you’re looking for, 4scrape will likely have it. This suggestion does come with a caveat, though. Because it autonomously collects it’s images, or “scrapes” them, there aren’t any human filters. So if you’d prefer only clean images, click the advanced search button, then in the purity mode box, filter out what you don’t want to see.

2. Docks: If you’re a mac user, you’re already familiar with docks and how much more convenient they are to desktop icons. It’s one of the many features macs have built in to make them easier than windows-based PCs. However, with ObjectDock, XP and Vista users can have it just as good. You can get it free, or pay $15 for the plus version. The only reason you wouldn’t want such a helpful tool is if you have a barebones system and can’t afford the slightest amount of RAM used for convenience.

3. Rainmeter: This tool is great if you use xp, or if you find Vista’s sidebar not quite what you want. Rainmeter keeps track of a number of things going on on your computer and with the world. I use it to keep track of my network traffic, my RAM and processor usage, and software news straight from Overclock.net. I have the HUD.Vision skin applied just for aesthetics, but you might find other uses and looks for it. Check out Rainmeter!