Although Ive only used the registry for verifying programs were installed or that they uninstalled properlly, in reading about it I found that its a pretty interesting device.

"The Registry contains information that Windows continually references during operation, such as profiles for each user, the applications installed on the computer and the types of documents that each can create, property sheet settings for folders and application icons, what hardware exists on the system, and the ports that are being used."As stated at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/256986

"Since Windows 95, administrators can use a special file to be merged into the registry, a policy file. The policy file allows administrators to prevent non-administrator users from changing registry settings like, for instance, the security level of IE and the desktop background wallpaper. The policy file is primarily used in a business with a large number of computers where the business needs to be protected from the users and the users need to be protected from themselves."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Registry#Windows_95.2C_98.2C_and_Me

For More Information about the Registry look here..

http://www.computerperformance.co.uk/vista/vista_registry.htm

Customizing the desktop, either changing colors the font size I found that there were more options to play around with. Although I didn’t keep a lot of the changes I made, I found It interesting to be able to change and play with more setting shown. I didn't however change my colors, although they may change several times that’s just the fun part.

My favorite screensaver has to be a fire place. At work I usually use the fire transition from windows media player although viewing this site that transition doesnt come close. While viewing the screen saver listed I found a link at the bottom for just that. http://dnl.crawlertools.com/install/sap_landing_3dfire.aspx?tbid=60293&banner_id=GGL_CT_ppc07_60293_05_01_526_*GeoUSCA*_-Content-__fireplace%20screen%20saver&gclid=CPLI1ObzoY8CFRssawod62S28Q