Focus stealing

[#1]

Incredible, that Microsoft made changes in Vista and 7 to prevent programs from stealing focus (without the need for Powertoys or registry tweaks) and yet their own application (Explorer) is by far the worst offender.
Just now, I was doing a long file copy across the network (<2GB total, but comprised of thousands of hundred-kB files) and in the middle of typing in a document an Explorer dialog box popped up which I then inadvertently did something with since I was in the middle of typing. I have absolutely no idea what the box was asking, nor what files I've replaced, cancelled, renamed.
Why can't it just minimise itself to the taskbar, and flash, like it does for waiting UAC acknowledgements?
Are there any good Explorer replacements which work well in Windows 7, preferably with some superbar features such as pinned/favourite folders?

[#2]

Firefox

[#3]

Try this one http://zabkat.com/x2lite.htm and ignore the above  
Also look at the options here http://windows7themes.net/windows-7-explorer-replacement.html and here http://www.ilovefreesoftware.com/30/featured/7-best-free-windows-explorer-alternative.html