If you haven’t heard the next version of Windows is called Windows 7.  I’m sure you’ve heard of the fiasco of Vista.  It was the version of Windows that emerged after Windows XP (which you are undoubtably still running if you haven’t bought a PC in some years).

Windows 7,  no doubt about,  is Windows Vista Improved.  Don’t be fooled.  I’ve used Vista now for at least a year, maybe longer, on my home and work machines, and I took the plunge and upgraded to Windows 7 on my work machine, and there is no doubt in my mind: it’s Windows Vista with some changes.  Aero still doesn’t run because of my weak video card, and all the hardware and applications I use work as well in Win 7 as in Vista.

I have had few issues with Vista, and I’ve been a bit mystified by all the outcries about how people hate it.  I can’t see why anyone wouldn’t upgrade XP to Vista (if your computer has the memory and the speed).  Overall it’s a better overall computing experience.

It’s hard for me to actually differentiate between Windows 7 and Vista.  There is the new taskbar, which is significantly overrated.  I would be surprised if you couldn’t install a third party add-on to achieve the same effect on Vista.  I was content with the Quick Launch bar with currently active windows to the side or bottom.  I think in time I could probably begin to see its value, but right now, I still feel unsure when a program is open or not (even with the little markings on the sides of the icons).

The indexing and search box on the Start button is the one utility I miss the most when I use an XP computer.  It’s so convenient for finding and opening files. (Similar to the Spotlight on the Mac).  The directory management (breadcrumbing) is also an intelligent design choice in both Vista and Win 7 (You click an arrow to view the tree structure of your folders).

What else do I like about Vista and Windows 7?  It’s hard to really say.  It seems like they both work.  I can’t figure out the need for a new Windows version.  I think that anyone who has Windows Vista should get a free upgrade to Windows 7.  Do I really have to pay an addition $300 to move to the next version?  Is Microsoft going to continue to support Windows Vista development?  Are these minor changes to Windows 7 worth paying more than $75?

There is something nice about the effort of Microsoft to allow us to install and test it out ahead of time for free.  I hope they consider something revolutionary like allowing free upgrades to Windows 7.  If they charge more than $100, I will most likely stick with Vista.  I’m not seeing anything revolutionary in the new version, and I’m surprised by all the postive buzz surrounding it.  Maybe I’m alone here.