As you can see I like to keep it nearly empty. I tend to put files on there while I'm working on them, and then move them to another HD once I'm finished so the desktop is never cluttered. I hate having program icons on there too, and instead add the ones I use the most into the quick launch bar, and the rest of the ones I use regularly to the left-hand side of the start menu.
Did you also know that the more icons you have on the desktop, the longer the system will take to load. This is because the system needs to check the links of each shortcut before continuing to load Windows.
And here is the desktop from my server, Yuna.
I will take a screenshot from my other systems when I get chance.