PPS - I can confirm Eloquent's comment. The first time I toggle the gconf show_desktop setting off then on again, this functionality returns. Subsequent repetitions of this make no difference, and only actually loading nautilus from the terminal bring the desktop back.
PPS - I can confirm Eloquent's comment. The first time I toggle the gconf show_desktop setting off then on again, this functionality returns. Subsequent repetitions of this make no difference, and only actually loading nautilus from the terminal bring the desktop back.