Application Folder on Dock (Snow Leopard)

[Timbukto]

I believe this folder is another form of the 'stacks' feature which allows you to view multiple items. However it bothers me to no end that there is a pretty huge UI inconsistency in that my forward/backward gestures do not work like they will in Finder or Safari. i.e. Applications/Utilities.

Is there a way to remove this inconsistency. If not is there an easy way for me to put just a Finder link on the dock to Applications vs the new SL 'stacks' feature that is completely inconsistent.

 

[Timbukto]

Checked out the options and I was able to opt for 'List' View. My god its Windows XP all over again. Hopefully someone has a graceful solution for this. Also Expose is nice and all but is there something that gives me something closer to Aero Peek such that mouse-overs lets me preview windows without switching?