After I while it just didn't add to my experience - mainly because either a browser tab took me to the desired info faster or I had already started an app by entering its nam through Quicksilver.

Then I came across Dasher. This app shows Dashboard after a (user defined) amount of idle time. I have set mine at three minutes (I let the screensaver kick in after ten minutes).

This gives new meaning to weather, icalevents, calendar, my backpackwidget, battery status and heck, even to the Harry Potter Goblet of Fire countdown. I am able to enjoy passive information, without an effort. For instance, this works just great when I return to my desk from getting coffee or when I hang up the phone.

(I have nothing to do with the development of Dasher, in case you were wondering.)