Microsoft Vista

Unless you've been living under a rock, you're probably well aware that Microsoft has released the latest version of its famous Windows operating system. Windows Vista is the successor to Windows XP.

Pros

Windows Vista includes many exciting features, including a flashy new look, improved search capabilities, a revamped networking interface and the introduction of multimedia authoring tools like Windows DVD Maker. Most important, though, are the improvements that Microsoft made to Vista's security. XP was frequently criticized for being vulnerable and Microsoft has turned to Vista to change the public perception that Microsoft products aren't secure.

Cons

Although Vista has been praised for its new features and improved security, it has come under much criticism for other reasons. Vista's system requirements are quite restrictive, which has led many people to uninstall Vista after being unable to get it to work properly. Others have been less than pleased with the way Vista aims to prevent software pirating and the copying of copyright-protected digital media (although it's hard to blame Microsoft for trying to prevent illegal activities). Another common complaint is that Vista isn't always compatible with pre-Vista programs.

The Gist

Microsoft's Windows Vista operating system represents a step forward from its predecessor in a number of ways, but the public has been much slower to adopt Vista than it was with XP. Satisfaction rates are also lower. However, Microsoft is such a giant in the computer world that it's probably just a matter of time before the company works out Vista's kinks and the new operating system is on the majority of U.S. computers.