[woebegong]

I have used Vista almost since the first release day and there are a few nice features that put it on top of XP, but here are a few things I have learned from this OS as well.
First, don't waste your money on the ultimate addition. A little better graphics but mostly little whistles.
Second, watch your user controls carefully. Windows tells you not to use the Admin. account for much, which kind of defeats the purpose of it. Supposedly it is to control whom has access to your computer and can make changes, but it can really cost you in time, loading programs and even starting them, if you happened to be logged on as the administrator.
Thirdly, it appears to me that every time I load a new program, even if I do not have it in the tool bar or startup routine, Vista gets slower on start up. I have gone the flash card journey and used rapid boost, a windows vista feature, but haven't gained a thing in start up speed.
Lastly, be very very careful about Beta testing the new OS windows 7 if you have vista. It is not real friendly with real tek drivers and NVIDIA drivers and will eat them up.