very true. most of the icons are accessible from the info window. If you want to change the default system icons, such as the new folder icon, or the default hard drive icon try the application CandyBar
yes candybar is one of the best apps out there. i used it once, never had to think about it again... got my icons just how i want them, worry free. nice new slick folders instead of those crappy ones that come with X.
I just copied my icons into the information panel to customize what I wanted to customize.
Then when I want the original ones I just click delete and poof! back to normal.
This is just one of the examples that makes using a Mac difficult for me... things are so simple I spend hours looking for a more difficult way to do things.. I guess that's what Windows taught me.