I have 3 options--- I can do like WSI and hide icons, I can use Dexpot and move from a screen with 30-40 icons on certain edges to totally BARE in one click, or I can leave icons visible and choose wallpaper with dark areas under the icons....(really a lot with a little looking!)

Dexpot (or other virtual desktop controllers) allow having 2, 3, 5...or more desktop configurations easily changable. One can have changing images, one can have a permanent image, one can have a few icons, one can have many.....and maybe too many choices IS the problem for some folks..*grin*.....but technology is great when it allows us to cater to out own personal notion of what is useful.