<snip a lot of stuff   :-)  >

There is nothing wrong with a little bling, or updated "modern" looks, just so 
long as they are not forced on the user and don't interfere with 
well-established good work habits.

In other words, bling should be optional for those who want some.

Some like strictly utilitarian, never-changing work environments so they don't 
have to think about how to do things with the computer. It is all second 
nature, and the user can get on with his work.

Others like things a little more "interesting" and get bored seeing the same 
old thing day in and day out. Some people like to constantly experiment with 
different ways of doing things.

It's all good as long as it's just appearances and the underlying 
functionality is intact and those who wish to can continue working as they 
have been without having to undo anything. That is, once again, the bling 
should be optional.

And individual. Anyone who wants to trick out his or her desktop can do so 
now. Those who don't want any of that should not have to undo anything.

I personally have a fairly staid desktop. Different desktop images for each 
virtual desktop, usually a pretty picture of a pretty woman (nothing X-rated, 
but they sometimes make my daughter roll her eyes :), with weather and system 
monitor on desktop 1.

I don't get on my computer to admire a desktop.

There's no need to argue about anything here. TDE allows prettyfying already. 
Different themes, different icons. Whatever.

Can't we all just get along?    :-)

Andy