I’ve been using Vista for the past month, my first attempt to move away from Windows XP.  I’ve noted a lot of things about Vista in this time, some that I like and some that I don’t.  Just some random thoughts...

• MCML applications make it worth the upgrade to Vista.  Period.
• For all Microsoft’s time spent on UI design, why the hell is the volume and network icon in the System Tray 2d crap?
• Same topic, why is there a gap in between the volume/network/etc icon and the first program running on the System Tray?
• Flip3D is neat, I don’t see any point of using it though.
• Same applies to the live window previews, my mouse is already down there and I end up clicking it anywhere.
• Aero is interesting, looks more professional than Luna did on Windows XP.  Classic sucks now though, especially the Start Menu.  I’m a fan of Classic so that sucks.
• I think I’ve used the new and improved search features twice.  Nice, but I generally know where my stuff is or browse to find it.  Need to learn to search first.
• I noticed when you delete from removable media the files go into the Recycle Bin.  Finally, I’ve been so many people lose documents because of that.
• Yet to open Windows Contacts, Windows Calendar, Windows DVD Maker, Windows Meeting Spaces, etc.  Nice additions, they should have been there since Windows 2000 though.
• Turned off Windows Defender, but I’m badass that way.  I don’t run virus or spyware junk of any of my PCs, now the families and girlfriends are a different story.
• I hate that I can’t double click on the clock in the System Tray and get the calendar.  Single clicks drive me nuts.
• Time synchronization still seems to not work.  Hardly ever worked in Windows XP too.
• I wouldn’t run a Media Center machine off of anything less than a Pentium D with 1GB of RAM.  P4 and below are just horrible.
• Sidebar is nice, but I need to upgrade my monitor to a widescreen for it to seem more useful.
• I like that Windows Update is more integrated to the OS. 
• The Control Panel sucks.  It (Classic View) loads slow and I click too fast for that, so I end up selecting the wrong icons because they seem to load from the middle out (huh?)
• Shadow Copies is a nice feature, love it in Server but I don’t know when the last time was I needed to use it.
• Not sure there are any video/audio drivers that don’t suck on Vista.
• There is no easy link to the “Network and Sharing Center” from the “Network” located in the Start Menu.  Have to right click that and go to Properties or go through the Control Panel.  Why?
• Office 2007 is great, expect when I’m going to have to teach the parents everything over again because it has been redesigned to put things were you think they should be. Tech support nightmare.
• I’ve just added a Skype phone, and now it says I need to redo my Experience Index.   So many things wrong with that.
• Games folder and integration is nice, but I’m not a gamer.
• Home Premium should be what Ultimate is.  Too many editions.  Lets restrict good backup from home users.  Sounds like a plan to me.
• My Thinkpad keeps dropping the wireless connection while connected via RDP.  Then it locks me out saying something about a network connection that does not exist.  Worse part, it does the same when I try and log in locally!
• Sports Lounge is sweet!
• Too bad Internet Explorer didn’t get any better with the upgrade.
• That’s all for now.