I don't really look at my desktop. I use hot keys to open search and open apps/documents from there. Though I will open up Finder from time to time and do a more in-depth search. I use the stock apps with OS X because I'm not really a "power user." My dock consists of only the apps I have open and they disappear when closed. But CMND+Tab (Or Alt+Tab for you Windows Folk) is basically the same thing. The only think I use my dock for is quickly accessing recent downloads and a quick list of my documents, which are the two things next to the trash bin.
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From left to right: Widgets, Desktop 1, Desktop 2, Desktop 3, Web (Safari), IRC (Linkinus), Messages (iMessage), Music (iTunes), Mail and my Calendar.
I have three "desktops" because when I do work on my desktop rather than in a full screen app similar to the six on the right, it's to keep similar windows together. For instance Finder is tied to one desktop, Lightroom to another (with an "actual*" second monitor, my iPad, wirelessly sitting in front of me) and various others to a third.
*I only have a TV and will sometimes utilize my iPad as a second, mirrored, monitor as I watch Netflix, play a game. When I'm in Lightroom I do use my iPad as a second monitor since the application recognizes other connected displays and utilizes them.