Background:
i have been working in the computer tech industry for the past 3 years.
i have been running windows since dos and i must say that of all the releases out there for windows i like xp professional the best.
that said im actually not a windows xp user at all, i just use it when dealing with customer computers (i.e. repairs, upgrades, diagnostics). i have been running ubuntu linux since 6.06 and stopped at 7.10. now running a mac osx with leopard 10.5.1 (i waited to upgrade from tiger until the 10.5.1 update was released)
On to vista:
Windows vista is by far one of the toughest operating systems i've had to deal with. as Moff8 points out, Windows ME would be the only OS worse then Vista. the use and function of the OS in my opinion seems flawed in that administrator permission is required for almost every action which is performed. Also, previous functionality such as Hp's built in webcam for their laptops has been discontinued in Vista (you are required to search through Hp's driver and support website and track down the fix). Running bench tests between an XP and Vista on machines running the same hardware shows the obvious differences in performance. If the visualizations of Vista is what you are interested in (i.e. the appealing asthetics) it is possible to download "vista transformation" pack and combine that with yahoo widgets (both free; vista transformation pack edits system files so use at your own risk).
About Microsoft:
Microsoft pisses me off in that the pc games and software which are now being released are being released as Vista only formats. this will eventually force all/most users who require those softwares or want to play those games to upgrade to the vista system. big box retailers (i.e. futureshop, bestbuy, staples, circuit city) have removed all XP systems from their shelves and restocked them with vista systems limiting the general consumers (ie. average users who dont get custom built pc's) purchase options to systems which run vista. This eventually will cause the phasing out of other systems to Vista.
Alternatives:
Apple is the most common alternative to Windows which offers ease of use and compatibility. However, the one gripe about Apple is that they have a monopoly over the Apple based systems which are released. This results in a high cost of hardware as well as software for their systems.
Ubuntu, that famous FREE, open source operating system which allows even new linux users an alternative OS to use. It comes standard with synaptic package manager which allows your to search for and browse programs which you need. Also in the applications menu it has a program called Add/remove programs which provides a list of free, common softwares which are used by users in ubuntu. Automatix is also available which helps install 3rd party software for your system however i've been told that it affects system stability.
PCLINUXOS, was apparently designed to make the transition from Windows to Linux easier by creating an interface which is similar to the average pc users experience. i havent tested it myself but i believe it comes in a livecd format which will let you play with it before installing.
Iphone Issue:
Glad to see that the issue has been fixed.
"I spent 2 hours on the phone with the apple vista specialist. He has no clue. His only suggestion was wiping my hard drive and installing xp."
this suggestion that was made to you is a common one made by over-the-phone tech support peoples for companies. alot of these people are not technically certified and ask you questions which have answers stored in a data-base. they tell you the "wipe the drive" suggestion only when they're totally lost or tired of talking to you (you talked to him on the phone for 2 hours).
the suggestion to format your drive back to XP is not one which should be taken or suggested lightly. many systems now adays do not come with driver sets for you to load XP back onto, rather they only develop a set of drivers for vista again forcing you to stick with it. it is possible to track down a set of drivers from the specific manufacturers website for each piece of hardware in your system or try to run the system running very general XP drivers which come with the system.
as for your next computer system, a mac is a nice choice to go with however many people return their units because they simply cant get used to it (i've had 3 people over the past year return one because it lacked a right click; after explaining to them that it can be configured on a mouse they decided to give the mac another shot)
Good luck with your Vista troubles, hopefully you wont have them again.
p.s. Sorry for the semi-rant on your thread.
Cheers
JC
