I've noticed a lot of older users tend to have only one application maximized on their screens. I suspect that's because they got used to using computers when displays were smaller and it was impractical to keep more than one application open on the desktop. These days displays are huge and cheap, so most people use them with the originally intended "desktop metaphor". Like widescreen monitors, desks are typically wide rectangles, that let you view multiple documents/applications at a time.