Search for a good desktop(NOT desktop environment)

[Kaustubh Ghosh]

Does anyone know of a good desktop (NOT desktop environment) for Linux? I have 
kicked out both gnome and kde recently as they couldn't give me speed, and    
I am using blackbox now which is perfectly fine and superbly fast. but i need 
a desktop for putting some icons and shortcuts if possible. I am using ROX 
Filer as file manager. It is supposed to be able to function as a desktop 
(pinboard, in their lingo), but doesn't work with me. The desktop better be 
as minimal as possible.
Thanks in advance.