All my files are categorized in OSX's home subfolders (Documents, Pictures, Music, etc.), so I decided to disable the desktop. I moved all my files out of my Desktop folder, but soon realized that most of my internet apps drop my downloads onto the desktop. Then I decided to make the Desktop unusable, not just not used.
First moved all your files off the desktop. Make sure that you check for hidden files in the terminal; I noticed that KDE had a few on my desktop. Then in the terminal delete (with rm -r) the Desktop folder. Then make a zero length file named Desktop by typing touch Desktop). Now no application can save to the Desktop folder because it's not a folder!
To make it not appear as a folder in the Finder, type this in the terminal:
/Developer/Tools/SetFile -a V ~/DesktopYou must have the Developer Tools installed for this to work. This sets the invisibility bit for your pseudo-folder. Enjoy!
The Finder plays nice on my system, and the worst that any other app will do is give you an error and ask you to select another folder. You should probably also open the Internet preferences panel and select a new downloads folder.
The quick version:
% MvMac Desktop/* misc/[Editor's note: I haven't tested this one and there's probably no downside, but any time you're deleting an included portion of the system, there's the potential for trouble -- for example, if an Apple installer is looking to put something on the Desktop, it may fail (this is conjecture, but merely an example to consider). Still, if you'd rather never see anything on the desktop, this will do it...]
% rm -r Desktop
% touch Desktop
% SetFile -a V Desktop

