I put my sidebar on the right for 1. aesthetic, 2. easy access (if I use touchscreen), and 3. because I prefer to compromise width than height for my window sizes (which would happen with the default sidebar on bottom).

• Firefox for the Internet, because I love being able to have a lot of control over my privacy settings
• File Explorer for finding files, because I never save things on my desktop and only put them into the proper folders
• Paint Tool SAI (a lightweight raster graphics editor), for simple image editing (or sketching, back when I still had a tablet).

My desktop icons are mostly shortcuts to applications which are not significant enough to put on the sidebar, but significant enough that easy accessibility is crucial.

• Arranged on the left in straight lines to make space for the background image
• Recycle Bin: In the top left corner due to lack of usage (where it is most unlikely to be clicked due to the location)
• Adobe Reader for PDF opening (in relatively inaccessible location due to low propensity to open it as is)
• Adobe softwares for various hobbyist/school works (+Aptana Studio, my open source replacement for Dreamweaver)
• Game-related softwares for gaming (distribution softwares and emulator)
• Microsoft Office softwares for work
• Audacity for sound-related editing

My background typically:

• Is from an artist I admire (in this case, Deja Vu by NanoMortis)
• Involves a foreground subject at around 1/3 to the right (to avoid being overlaid with the desktop icons)

I made slight edits, namely:

• Battery: typically around 70-90% since I tend to avoid falling below 60% if possible, but am wary of spoiling my battery by overcharging at 100%
• Time: typically around late hours