Just goes to show how different people's use scenarios are. To me, Dashboard is perhaps the single feature I use most when I'm sitting in front of my iMac.
Consider this one fact that is just indispensable and incomparable: with ONE click, or ONE motion I can invoke Dashboard instantly. I don't have to LAUNCH anything. There are no bounces and no spinning balls like when I launch an application. Click one button on my mouse (as I have it configured) - or hit the corner of the screen - and BOOM, there is Dashboard in all its glory, pretty much instantaneously. NOTHING compares to that speed.
And look at the riches! I have a Calculator on Dashboard I can use instantly. If I tried to launch the OS X calculator from the dock, it would bounce before it appeared. Dashboard is instant: BOOM, my calculator. Same for all the little widgets I use constantly: Converter, DeliveryStatus (to check on my packages), iStatPro (to check on various computer related data such as hard drive space in various external drives, temperature, network activity, memory etc., etc.,), Weather, Calendar, Contacts, and as another user said Notes (in my case k-notes), which are arranged with various pieces of info, I have instant access to, Clock/Timer, and a whole bunch others.
I mean, I use these widgets ALL THE TIME. I constantly check this or that, and I love having it all displayed across the screen in familiar positions, all invoked SUPER FAST by one single click of the keyboard or mouse or flick of the mouse.
It's unbeatable for speed and convenience.
I hate to imagine what a massive drop in quality of experience it would be for Apple to get rid of Dashboard.
Can anyone point out for me what else is MORE convenient than Dashboard widgets instantly invoked? Certainly not any apps that are launched, which feel positively medieval. It's faster than launching any iOS apps on the iPhone/iPad/iTouch or what not. It's the fastest most convenient thing ever. HANDS DOWN.
DASHBOARD FOR THE WIN!!!!!!