I hate loads of icons on the desktop. Like to keep it to a minimum if possible with just Computer, Network and Recycle Bin on there all of the time, and then I put other files and folders on the desktop while I'm working with them, and then move them into another drive when finished.
My wife's laptop's desktop is a complete mess though. When I use it I can't find anything on there. The whole desktop is filled with icons from everything she has installed. But she seems to like it that way. Quite funny when she has installed something new then has to spend a couple of minutes hunting for the new icon!