[BikerJoe]

However, unless there are radical changes in hardware, I have a hard time understanding what radical changes Microsoft is going to make that are going to add lots of value for consumers.

With a mature XP and compatible applications, this is true. However, speaking from the IT end of things, having done lots of w2k->XP upgrades, and now some XP->Vista upgrades, I've seen the cause of many of Microsoft's problems...their security model.

When things don't work on one of their new OSes, it's usually due to the introduction of yet another layer of security. The software would execute perfectly, if the OS would allow it. But some bit somewhere says something isn't permitted, and things get hosed up. Similarly, when an update fails, many times it's due (again) to some permission problem. I see it over and over and over again.

If Microsoft wants to really fix something, they can COMPLETELY rethink their security model. Honestly, why does every single value in a 10 million item registry need its own individual security settings?

Just my 2 cents...

[Mediocrates]

If Microsoft wants to really fix something, they can COMPLETELY rethink their security model. Honestly, why does every single value in a 10 million item registry need its own individual security settings?

Singularity is an ongoing MS project you may find interesting.