After using Windows 7 for a bit, I decided to move to Windows 7 for my main work PC. I will still keep Vista on one of my computers though, as well as on my kids PCs.
Looking back, I think I have to write some of my experiences with Vista. We first met in 2003, at the PDC. Even though that version was very very Alpha, it made some promises. I liked you right away. Moving to late 2005 I more or less started to use you as my main system. Since then, I read a lot of bad stories about you in the press and online. I felt you got very unfair treatment. I did not recognize all the bad they wrote about you. Sometimes I felt I was living on another planet – and maybe I was. But I always thought that your security enhancements was important, and I know that all the changes you brought to Windows are taken further in Windows 7.
One of the most unfair things I read about your is the lack of enterprise rollouts. I do think I`m pretty early using new software from Microsoft. But enterprises usually are on other schedules. Companies don`t necessary live after release schedule of Microsoft. And of course, in many ways Windows XP is great. But this does not make Vista bad.
A lot of people also went crazy over User Account Control – UAC – and I simply cant understand why. I think UAC is a great concept. I could also mention ASLR, Bitlocker and integrity control. And, not to forget, all you brought me with x64 support. (not a bad word about Windows XP – but the 64 bit version could not be compared…)
What I missed the most in the beginning was your server partner – Windows Server 2008 – and it sure made you even better.
What I did not like with you? Well, as many out there maybe know , I `m not a big fan of DRM… and you supported that too good :(
For me, Vista will always be a pleasant experience, even though we had our moments :)