People have compared Vista with ME, but I would compare it with 95 instead.
95 introduced a complex UI, networking, decent method of implementing (and managing) device drivers and multitasking.
Vista introduced a complex UI based on a completely new way of rendering an interface, a new network stack (with proper IPv6 and wireless-that-isn't-a-kludge), device drivers moved mostly to usermode (with small kernel element) and some excellent improvements to multitasking and memory allocation. Plus a completely new sound architecture.
It's not perfect, but it's a good beginning. Windows 7 will be better. I would imagine Windows 7 will be as Windows 98SE is to Windows 95.
**EDIT**
I wouldn't be sorry to see Windows 7 dropping forms of backwards compatability in order to be more secure and responsive. I would also not be sorry to see Windows 7 being available only for x64.
95 introduced a complex UI, networking, decent method of implementing (and managing) device drivers and multitasking.
Vista introduced a complex UI based on a completely new way of rendering an interface, a new network stack (with proper IPv6 and wireless-that-isn't-a-kludge), device drivers moved mostly to usermode (with small kernel element) and some excellent improvements to multitasking and memory allocation. Plus a completely new sound architecture.
It's not perfect, but it's a good beginning. Windows 7 will be better. I would imagine Windows 7 will be as Windows 98SE is to Windows 95.
**EDIT**
I wouldn't be sorry to see Windows 7 dropping forms of backwards compatability in order to be more secure and responsive. I would also not be sorry to see Windows 7 being available only for x64.