Not sure what you mean.

Under the root directory there is /home. In home there is userspace.
Userspace can reside on the same HD or partition or on a separate one,
depending on how you set it up at installation. It's exact location is
transparent to the user. There is also a root Desktop, but that belongs to
root. This is not confusing because you can only access it if you change to
root in the file manager.

I am not sure what you want in a file manager. I can "explore" every part
of the Linux file system including other Linux installations of other
drives and partitions. Nothing is forbidden to me. You just need to know
what you are doing. You need to respect Linux permissions. If you
understand them and how they work then you can explore to your heart's
content.

My chosen file manager is Dolphin, but I can do this in Nautilus or Thunar.
Linux has many file managers to choose from. In all cases you need to be
familiar with the file manager, but also the file structure
and permissions. The same thing applies in Windows with the exception of
permissions. This is something that sets Linux apart and provides a greater
measure of protection and security.

I am not sure what your complaint is. All things are possible to those who
know.

I'm not sure if we can post screen shots here, but it might help us to
help you if we could see just what it is that you are seeing.

If you know the date last modified do a search for all files on this day
you can modify the file view and adding the date or size.

There is only one directory tree. It starts witha root directory from which
everything else branches off. The name of the root directory is /.

Under it are many subdirectories, most of which are only of interest to the
advanced user. The one everyone uses is their home directory where are
personal data and files are found. It is called /home and in that folder
are subdirectories for each user. At a minimum there is one with your
username, /home/user (you don't see "user", just your login name) and one
for the administrator or root user, /home/root. Each is private to that
user and can only be used by him/her.

Each user's home directory contains folders such as documents
(/home/user/documents), downloads, music, videos etc, as well as a lot of
hidden configuration files. The default permissions give each user
exclusive rights to their home directory, unless they are the root user,
who can go anywhere and do everything. You are not root when you log in.

It's a very simple and logical layout compared to that other well known
operating system that starts with "W". All Linux file managers show the
same "tree" structure and the names of the important directories never
change. As you gain more experience with Linux you will come to appreciate
this but for now, just remember that unless you are the administrator,
root, you only have access to your own area, your home directory. This is
for your own protection and that of all the other users since Linux is a
multi-user operating system.

OK Some progress. I have managed to find the root directoy '/'(only in an add-on
file manage called "Krusader", none of the built-in tools seem capable of Step
1) amd, as promised, it has a subdirectoy called "Home". HooFrigginRah, more
progress than I've made in 4 days.

Now, where on God's green Earth is "Desktop"? Not umnder "/", Not under "Home",
not under "home/myusername"...

Where?

Well you've got a different file manager as suggested and it's opened
up the ability to see files / folders as you were used to seeing. A
step in the right direction :-)

Desktop should be visible under /Home/'your user name' along with
'Documents, 'Downloads' etc... Not much in 'Desktop' in Unity so
don't think that's going to be much use in the practical sense. The
list of icons you see in the Launcher on the left of the screen has
nothing to do with 'Desktop'.

Not sure what you are using. Some more information may let us help you
more. For instance what version of Linux are you using. On my version
Xubuntu the Desktop is in my home Directory. The reason is that each
user has the ability to custom arrange their own Desktop.
Another question is are you one a live CD, or is this a loaded on a PC
hard disk?

Here is a partial listing of my home directory:
> drwx------ 12 marty marty 4096 Sep 5 22:23 Bills&Receipt
> drwxr-xr-x 2 marty marty 4096 Apr 20 09:18 bin
> -rw-rw-r-- 1 marty marty 106816 Aug 17 17:20 cfcu0817.pdf
> drwxr-xr-x 3 marty marty 4096 Jun 15 13:15 Chirp
> -rw-r--r-- 1 marty marty 132792 May 9 09:48 Crucial Mem.pdf
> drwxr-xr-x 2 marty marty 4096 Aug 28 12:01 Desktop
> drwxr-xr-x 25 marty marty 4096 Aug 19 10:08 Documents
> drwxr-xr-x 10 marty marty 4096 Aug 24 14:27 Downloads
> drwxr-xr-x 6 marty marty 4096 Oct 31 2009 drm
> -rw-rw-r-- 1 marty marty 762621 Oct 31 2009 drm-1-12b.tar.gz
> drwxrwxr-x 7 marty marty 4096 Aug 21 09:29 EMTEC Drive Bkup
> drwx------ 2 marty marty 4096 Aug 6 2011 For Sale Items
> -rw-rw-r-- 1 marty marty 390769 Jul 27 08:42 FT-817Stand.pdf


You will notice a directory for Desktop. What that contains is all the
names of the items on my desktop. So not much to see there really.

To better help you I think we need to understand better what you wish to
do here.

/(root of filesystem)home/(where the Users are)users name/(your personal
home dir)Desktop(yes the D needs capitalized when working in the
terminal because all files are case sensitive in Linux).

The root users home dir only shows if signed in as root. unless you move
to the filesystem found in the left hand column. Nautilus will open in
your home dir.

I click on filesystem in the side column when I need to get to the root
directory, different than the root home directory that is hidden unless
you sign in as root. For the most part everything you do should be in
your home directory. Only exception is if you absolutely need root
privileges.

What you need to know is even if you can access everything on your hard
drive. Privilege keeps you from messing with the system before you know
enough to play safe. "This is a good thing" for Linux users, bad for
computer professionals that make a living off people who mess deeper
than they should on there unprotected Windows file systems.

People that have the desire and want to know how to dig deeper learn
how. You can too. It will take a little frustration on your part but we
can help you with these things just ask. For now understand people that
think Nautilus or Unity the default desktop on Ubuntu 12.04, simply have
not taken the time to learn how to use the systems.

Most new users I have worked with, like the Unity desktop over KDE or
gnome. Why? You have to know more about Linux than what new users know
to use KDE. Gnome as we knew it, is no longer an option. I like the
desktop Unity. I do more than play games and browse. I use Nautilus to
search my files, and I have at least 1T worth of them. I find and move
files from my other distro installs and external drive.

When someone says you can't, don't believe it when using Linux. When
someone says you can't in Windows there is likely some truth to the
statement.

One more time. I use Unity. I use Nautilus. There is nothing I won't try
including Terminal work. The Protect the User from himself (big brother
garbage) just does not apply with these systems. Some things can be
easer using KDE but in the long run KDE requires more knowledge than a
new user has so the learning curve is greater. If one has no desire to
play with the OS, or to learn it. Unity is likely a good fit. Because I
desired to help new users I have spent many hours using Unity. I have
the KDE desktop installed on all my machines, and use it from time to
time. I have found myself logging in to Unity most of the time now days.
For those that can't find how to change the desktop they use after it is
installed you will find a Ubuntu Icon next to the password box if you
are using 12.04 as I do.