• OneLessDrop: This classy looking "H" sits on your desk and either keeps your cord in place by its weight, or sticks it in a channel to keep it still when you don't need it. 
• Cable Monkey Cable Organizer: In a cute and clever twist on keeping your cables bundled together, Think Geek has made this cool Cable Monkey to hug your way to organization heaven. 
• OXO Cord Catch: You know that annoying cable that you can't tie up but can't hide because you need access? Get one of these and you'll always have an organized place to put it. 
• Leaf Tie: Lufdesign makes these little babies, which are really just prettied up zip ties. If you have to keep your cords out in the open, you might as well decorate them, right? 
• Cord Cuffs: One option for keeping wires out of the way is with the Cord Cuff, a sticker that wraps around your wire and then adheres to whatever surface you like. 
• Fork & Cream: Lufdesign does it again with a different take on keeping wires clean. Just wrap the offending piece through the tines on the fork then stick it into the simulated cream spill which will have your guests wonder what's going on. 
• IKEA Signum:Sure, these have been around for a bit, but that's because they're an easy way to hide wiring, power bricks and power strips from your eyes, plus keep them off the floor. 
• Ninja Bunny: If it's cute and can clean up your desk, we're all for it. Just use these little warriors to tidy up unsightly cords, plus add a decorative touch.
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Love the cord monkey, ninja bunny and leaf ties. This is so timely as just yesterday I was grumbling about cord chaos. I think I can figure out a DIY for all three using stuff already on hand so that's even better. Love Apartment Therapy for inspiration and practical info. Though many things are often way out of my league financially I can often fake up something good enough for my place and get some entertainment value out of what some people go through to be 'trendy' (a pejorative word in my world).
Zip ties and painters tape on a hidden surface have worked for me many a time. Although I might have to look into the Oxo Cord Catch -- that's a nice solution for keeping your cords in place when taking your laptop off the desk and not having the offending cord fall back into the abyss. Thanks AT.
And then there's the idea from this very website -- binder clips on the edge of your desk or shelf.
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/final-frame-organizing-compute-111983
Once I tried it I found out it only works if your desktop is thin enough to be clipped. Mine isn't, but if it is, this is an easy idea.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3860226/DSC00564.JPG
Brilliant idea!
I have rediscovered my love for the binder clip.
I have tried zip ties but you have to cut them to release the cord. The reusable ties are nice but they tend to be like a Chinese Finger Trap. Beware of velcro, on my HW floors and after a week of service, collect enough dust matter to mistake it for a rodent. ...Makes those midnight bathroom trips interesting...
For the cords that I need to use daily, I have them run under my desk and near the opening I stick on those 3M Christmas light hooks (super tiny, clear, perfectly fits a USB cable). My camera USB cord is something I've always had trouble managing, but with this solution it's always floating right by where I need it. Also, I let the cord hang just enough so I have the perfect amount of give.