Diane, I use objectbar to keep the programs and folders that i use all the time handy. I have it on autohide and use the Longhorne M4 most.
I like it better than objectdock because I find I have less clutter - each item points to a menu of shortcuts from my start folder and I set it so that it uses whatever skin I am currently using (I like to change things around).
I have problems soemtimes getting the desktopx bars to do what I want (I am a real newbie to all this stuff). So don't know just how they fit in as far as daily usability goes.
But it has it drawbacks. It appears to be an orphan...I am having problems finding answers to a question or two that I have about getting my recycle bin onto the bar, and why my widgets won't work like they should.
I have tried other sidebars, like desktop sidebar, and smartbarxp,and Orbit (which is cool, and comes up with a mouse click) but keep coming back to objectbar.