Both great suggestions, SledgeDG and whs. I use Fences exclusively for this purpose, and it works very well. But creating a Desktop Toolbar is perhaps even simpler, because Fences can be a little tricky to learn to maneuver your way around.
My Computer
At a glance
Vista 64 bit and 32 bit (SP2)Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T9400 (2.53 GHz4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)512 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP Pavillion dv5t (generation 1)
OS
Vista 64 bit and 32 bit (SP2)
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T9400 (2.53 GHz
Memory
4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
Graphics Card(s)
512 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
Monitor(s) Displays
15.4" diagonal WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescre
Screen Resolution
1680 x 1050
Hard Drives
320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
Keyboard
Built-in HP
Mouse
Built in - Synaptics TouchPad V6.5 on PS/2 Port
Internet Speed
Max
Other Info
~ Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card w/Bluetooth ~ Blu-Ray ROM DVD+/-R/RW ~ Integ. HDTV Hybrid Tuner ~ 12 Cell Battery ~ MS Office (Home Premium) 2007 ~
I totally agree, Imperfect. Fences can be somewhat tricky until you grasp/embrace the concept.
So Rocket Dock etc is clearly the easier solution.
I personally don't like docks (too much "Mac" for my taste so I use either Fences
or, if I want my desktop all clean the App Launcher V3 desktop gadget
and/or the free version of the Tray Commander
Right I used it ever since I found it for my vista (I lived right through the "birthing pains" of v2.x so to say
But I can't imagine my desktop without it anymore.
BTW If you ever happen to use it to its full capacity, there is no problem in starting a second instance which then keeps its own links. But I think in that case it's better to add Folders (for instance 1 for portable apps, 1 for GFX relatred stuff, 1 for games etc. haven't reached full capacity yet
Only thing I noticed so far: the drag/drop of files to be copied in those folders is a bit quirky. So I use the Link on the bottom "Click here to open the folder" and use explorer for those operations.