ObjectDock is a freeware program that lets Windows users add a dock to their desktop. It can display tasks and short-cuts on the dock as well as run mini-applets called (Docklets) (think Widgets/gadgets but better).
Stardock has put the first beta of ObjectDock 1.6 onto Stardock Central for users who have purchased ObjectDock Plus. ObjectDock itself is freeware (the plus version adds multiple docks, system tray support, tabbed docks and some other features).
See the link below to get a preview of what's in ObjectDock 1.6.