When I do a custom setup at work, I will normally configure the system exactly how I want it for the user. I'll setup Shortcuts and taskbar properties exactly how I want them along with screen saver, power settings etc.. What I would normally do is Right-click on My Computer and select properties > Select the Advanced Tab > Select the user profiles button > Find my profile which is the name of my AD account so firstname.surname, then select "Copy To" and I will normally copy it to C:\documents and settings\default user
This means that the next time a new user logs onto the system it should take all of my settings and preferences and apply it to their profile, the only issue being that when they log on their my documents and sub directories all take my name, so it would be Jake's My Pictures etc.. even though the blokes name may be Bob. It doesn't break anything but it is messy and I can't seem to find a fix for it.