Fundamentals of Designing User Interaction - The Windows Environment
The Windows desktop is shown in Figure 4.1.
Figure 4.1 The desktop (click to enlarge image)
The desktop represents a user's primary work area; it fills the screen and forms the visual background for all operations. However, the desktop is more than just a background. It is a convenient location for the user to place and easily reach objects that are stored in the file system. The desktop also serves as a private workspace for a networked computer, through which a user can browse for and access objects on the network.
Fundamentals of Designing User Interaction
Design Specifications and Guidelines