Well, “long awaiting” new version of Windows is coming. I'll not want to discuss its new visual enhancements, because personally I still working in Windows 2000 and happy with it. Might be others will find them useful, but I not think they can really increase production of average user greatly.
What I really interested in is a compatibility of our programs with this system. And what we found about this not makes us too optimistic. In addition to visual changes Vista announce new security changes. Microsoft consider them as enhancements, but I can't agree. Enhancements that get pain from MS and bring this pain to end-user are just changes, which makes the things for average user more complex.
So, the main change in Windows Vista is serious restrictions for all running programs. Programs now can work in three modes: restricted or protected, user mode and admin mode. In restricted mode programs do not have access to local file system (except temp folders) and system registry. Actually access to registry is provided, but each protected program will work in its own branch of registry. User mode programs will gain access to HKCR registry and users “Documents and Settings” folder (easier to say Home folder). When accessing to HKLM registry they also will be redirected to some specific branches of registry visible only for this program. Admin mode programs will gain almost full access, except several critical folders. However it is not enough to be a user with admin rights to run admin mode programs, now each time Vista will request your permission to launch such programs. And to addition to this three modes now appears “Super Admin” account (as root on unix) which will will have almost full access, but once again except some critical folders.
The main issue caused by above “enchantments” is that you not know, if not specify explicitly, in which mode will run your program. More other for one user it can work in one mode and for other in another. This especially makes sense when you developing not an standalone application but just some extension module (dll). Running from different programs from the same user account it will access to different areas of registry and has a different limitation accessing to local file system.
All this is just pain, both for developers and for users. It is impossible to realize that now when you will try to store image file from IE, Vista will ask your permission to do that. Permission request dialogs occurs so often, that after some time you just ignore them.
Might be all above is really reasonable, but this is not the OS which I'll like, this is OS for dummies. Any normal user which is smart enough to not open “I love you” letters and use windows update functionality will get pain. My advise is not to move on Vista and wait for some time while probably Microsoft makes limitations softer, or at least all vendors adopt their programs for Vista.