Due to a certain unfortunate event I find myself using Windows all of a sudden. Now I used to use it all the time so I am familiar with the interface and everything but … since getting used to using a Dock instead of a Task Bar I can’t understand why on Windows the Task Bar is so afraid to become full up. Why does it always have so much empty space?

To illustrate what I mean look at this image:

Then I open another application and:

(Click images for larger versions)

Each individual programs place on the Task Bar shrinks and the overall length of the Task Bar in use remains the same. Why?! What is the rest for? Is this just Windows being silly… or am I at fault here?