I've purchased new computers with every major OS in them since Windows 3.1 and in my opinion, Vista is an absolute failure. I have programmed for over 25 years and I have seen a lot of progress from pre-windows operating systems to 3.1 and the jump between 3.1 and 95. Most everything after 95 has been a disappointment. 98SE was an improvement over 95 and XP was in some ways an improvement over 98, well, after SPII that is, but Vista is certainly not an improvement over XP. It is thwarted with bugs. Myself and a lot of people I have communicated with online have been victims of Windows Updates that caused Vista to crash and in some cases, not boot up again. Fortunately for me, I can fix all of that but I'm sure for business owners that are not very computer savvy, this latest Micro$oft release in nothing short of a nightmare.
The UAC security is a mindless invention that is 10-times the pest 'Clippy' ever was. In my opinion, Zone Alarm can run circles around Micro$oft security. The irony is that all of the extra Vista security additions mostly lead to a buggy operating system and some of these updates, which are mostly security files, cause even more problems for the user than if they actually did get a virus.
In addition, the operating system is so bloated that a virus maker could have a field day with it because in general, the larger the operating system, the easier it is to hide a virus. Also, the virus can be more complex. It is also harder to remove them.
All this negative attention is why I believe the fools in charge of this go-no-where 'growth' company have finally decided to make a scaled back OS called Windows 7, which is slated to arrive in about two-years.
I think investors in Micro$oft want Ballmer out and maybe after Gates officially leaves this summer, that just might happen. I would like to see that company go through a complete re-vamping and start listening to consumers for a change.
So far, Micro$oft really doesn't have any well organized competition. Linux for example is far from organized enough but got a foot in the door last year with Dell. Apple still suffers from the artistic temperament of Steve Jobs to rule the OS world. I'd state Apple has certainly done well with diversification and even though I don't own or want an iPhone, I can see the appeal (an Apple with 'appeal') for them.
OK, it's been pun. Rant over.
Pete