Hey give CDE a break I cut my teeth on that more than a decade ago and its not a bad interface for a high end workstation (CAD for example) though I would not use it for a desktop..
Ten years ago?
I rest my case... ;)
You're right, it is probably good for the uses you described, but if that were my day-to-day desktop, I'd quickly go mad.
Heck, Windows UI makes me cranky. No ability to reskin the toolbar or window decorations?
What would I do with my spare time?