Is it possible to create a URL link to a website on the home screen? Is it possible to create an icon on my desktop home screen (Android 2.1 Samsung Galaxy) that I can tap to fire up the browser to a specific web site?
Create it as a bookmark in the Android browser. Then, long-press your home screen and choose the "Bookmark" option. Select the bookmark you made and Voilà!



For newer versions of Android, assuming you're using the Chrome browser:


Go to the URL you want in the browser
Open the menu (three vertical dots) and choose "Add to Home screen"
Confirm the title you want to give the icon and click "Add"


Et Voilà! You now have an icon on your home screen that will open your browser to that URL.