I actually prefer having it over on the right side. I keep drive images there, and I tend to think of it as more of a utility area than the main app area (which also changes the order of things when running apps... the right stays the same).

But yes, it really is basic. But I prefer it. And I don't have a right click, so a single-left-click is handier than holding it down.

Nice idea, but you can already do this by opening your System Preferences, right clicking on the icon when it opens in your dock, and choosing, "Keep in Dock."

By either clicking and holding, or right-clicking the new icon, you can select any pane from the System Preferences. Only difference here is you've got it on the other side of the divider, with your Application shortcuts instead of Folder short cuts. To each his own, I suppose.