The problem with having things hidden away on the side of the screen is that it makes things take longer to access. You have to "scrub" with the mouse to find your program, especially if you have multiple folders or files with the same icon. This is one of the big problems with the apple dock.
I also find the start menu a little clumsy to use.

On the other hand, there are only a few people out there as obsessive as me about Fitts' law, and I think this has the potential to be a very popular theme.

I'm feeling up for something new and different...I'll let you know when I finish.