what are your opinions on Windows Vista?

Parts of Vista scare me," Gleichauf said at the Gartner Security Summit here on Monday. "Anything with that level of systems complexity will have new threats, as well as bringing new solutions. It's always a struggle in security, trying to build for what you don't know."

Gleichauf told CNET News.com's sister site ZDNet UK that Cisco views the Microsoft operating system update, set for broad release in January, as a bearer of possible solutions to security problems, but also as a potential trigger of security issues.

"Vista will solve a lot of problems. But for every action, there's a reaction and unforeseen side-effects and mutations. Networks can become more brittle unintentionally," Gleichauf said.

The Cisco executive's remarks come as Microsoft and the European Commission move deeper into a tug-of-war over security features in Vista. The company wants regulators to set clear guidelines as to what it can include in the operating system, but the Commission will say only that Microsoft must abide by its competition rules.

Systems complexity needs to be taken into consideration in any action plan for Vista implementation, he added

I've used Vista a lot and reviewed it for a show or two. My thoughts are as follows... Vista makes a lot of under the hood improvements. It's more secure and better than XP at keeping viruses and spyware at bay. The interface is spruced up and it's more like Mac OS X. It's glassy, there are more effects and animations.

Certain things are supposed to be easier - such as networking and joining a wifi hotspot.

All in all it's a lot like Windows XP with a new face. Would I recommend upgrading? Absolutely. Why? Because it's far more secure than XP and that alone is worth the upgrade.

My question is: Why would you be in a big hurry to jump into it?

It's going to be around for a long time. Personally, I think it's like the first year a new car model comes out. It's not usually the best practice to go out and buy it in the first year.

Granted the prices on a Microsoft OS won't come down, but the prices on the hardware items will definitely be getting cheaper. I'm a believer in let them release it, upgrade it with their first Service Pack and some security updates and then maybe consider it. You have to know it's not going to be relatively perfect when it first comes out.

I guess if you're on of those that absolutely have to have it to keep up with everyone else then go for it.

I'll stick with XP for another year or so.

The IT newsletters I subscribe to are saying that Vista is just bloatware with more holes in it than XP. After all, Vista is basically a version of XP with MORE eye candy which will eat up more of your resources. This is why a LOT of people will have to upgrade their hardware in order to run it. Unless you need Vista to run a business you don't really need it at all!

I'm opting to stay with XP. ...at least until I get done researching Linux and find a version of that that I can use.

Windows Vista is more than worth your time. You can download the Release Candidate from Microsoft.com, or they will mail you a disc (I had one mailed to me).

Here's what Vista is going to do:

-Integrate voice command into almost all Microsoft applications. You can dictate an email and navigate your computer without dealing with a keyboard or mouse.

-Internet Explorer 7 will replace MSN explorer. You can download it for XP on Microsoft.com right now. It makes Mozilla obsolete by not only incorporating the "tab" feature (which I never understood why it was such a big deal anyway), but also featuring next generation internet security and pop-up blockers.

-Media Player 11 is just sweet. You can download that now, too.

-Media Center is no longer a "special feature"available to a few. It is incorporated into the operating system like anything else. I currently have an XP Media Center PC, and my entire life revolves around it. I'm an Environmental Chemist, and all of my work and play is based in my computer. It knows what kinds of shows I like, and automatically records them for me. I can pause, rewind, and fastforward live TV...and keep active with other applications while watching, like messenger, etc. Media Center also incorporates all of your other media, including pictures, music, all of your old recorded shows, any other videos or media, etc.

And of course Microsoft has upgraded their barage of killer software. I use "Streets and Trips" to plan all of my road trips...and I take routine trips to Arizona, Vermont, Mexico, Oregon...all over.

For people that support Macs, let me ask this:

Does Mac have integrated voice command?

Although Mac allows you to BUY an attachment to watch TV, do you have the extreme control over your viewing the way Media Center provides?

Does the world run on Mac or Windows?

Two points:

A week or so ago, I read an advertisement for the new Imac that said "Viruses and crashes are commonplace for PC's...they are not a problem for Macs". Later that day in my lab, a co-worker said "God, I can't believe it. My computer just got a virus and crashed...and it's a new Apple Laptop". Not a problem, huh?

Apple advertises that "PC's are for stuff you have to do...Mac's are for stuff you want to do". The truth is, Mac's are ONLY for stuff you WANT to do...if you're a graphic artist or movie maker. Windows is for stuff you HAVE to do (and it's done efficiently and effectively), and for stuff you WANT to do (gaming, TV, music, movies, the work). In fact, my XBox 360 controller plugs right into the front of my PC, and I use it to play the latest and greatest games.

And the upgrade from XP to Vista Home Premium is a mere $160. That's less than a week's pay for something that will redefine the way you live, work, and play. Get Vista, screw Mac.

Windows Vista is good you have the new internet explorer 7 and its really fast if you dont like internet explorer you can still use firefox down load Windows Vista & install it its cool

I like it the first time I saw it, when it was called Mac OSX.

try it on some elses pc first

go to bestbuy or something and just play around