there isnt much wrong with vista at its core. If you buy a new system with it (to avoid hardware issues) and tweak UAC, there isnt much to worry about. Just don't upgrade from xp, thatswhere problems come from.

"Windows 7 won't be the next big thing -- just Microsoft's next chance to get it right."
What?! That's like saying (in the year 2001) "Since it's based on Windows NT, Windows XP won't be the next big thing -- just Microsoft's next chance to get it right."
Just becuase Windows 7 uses the Vista kernel does NOT mean that it won't be the next big thing. I say it WILL be the next big thing. Back to my Windows XP analogy: Windows XP was WAY bigger than Windows 2000, yet it's basically just a better performing, more refined version of Win2k. I think Windows 7 will be bigger than XP.

I'm holding on to XP for as long as I can. I'll probably buy a new box after Win 7 ships SP2. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my hardware holds up for at least another 4 years, knock on wood.

....a looooong time ain't what it used to be - unless you're strictly into frivolous activity such as running the newest graphics intensive game while playing a pirated movie in the background while ripping and burning several copies of some CD for your friends, donating whatever processor resources left to SETI.... I don't do liquid cooling or overclocking, and am prudent as far as the number of applications running simultaneously. Currently running a mixture of EIDE and older SATA hard disks (five at the moment), 768 RAM with a 600 MB Pentium III, I can do AutoCAD 2008 with a reasonably sized 2D file while doing 2 chat clients and a multiply tabbed browser, opening PDF's on occasion, manipulating graphics via PSP 7 without taxing the 1999 motherboard and BIOS very much. This wouldn't be happening were I to switch from XP to Vista.

Of course, I would welcome newer hardware were it to be donated. I'm currently interested in a 21 inch CRT - If anybody here is succumbing to the temptation to switch from a major defect-free CRT to a sexily lined Cinemascope ratioed graphically inferior flat screen, let's talk. I'm more than willing to take the CRT off your hands. The associated shipping cost should be nothing compared to the cost of your new monitor, and you would have the satisfaction of knowing the CRT will be used for activities of infinitely greater value than playing Warcraft and watching porn.

By all means, your old hardware will be a welcome addition to my inventory (as long is it's not an LCD). I'll charge reasonable fee to take it off your hands.