A few comments from professionals on another forum
Many folks thought they would receive their DVD within a few days of the official retail release. The smarter ones expected it would take upwards of a month to get the upgrades all shipped--and we weren't so smart. Microsoft's chosen fulfillment provider has had this in a screwed-up mess since the get go.
Even after you successfully register, you have to mail in specific paperwork--just like a rebate program. My submission was in early March--a full five weeks after the official retail release.
By the way, the upgrade is not free. The cost of the upgrade is zero, but nearly $13 is attached for shipping and handling.
--Jim J., Laurium, Michigan
Second Thoughts
I am sorry I ever bought a new laptop with Vista. My Adobe Acrobat Professional 7.0 does not work; to have the same functionality, I have to repurchase Acrobat 8.0 Pro for $449. (I can't even buy the upgrade because Vista will not allow me to install my Acrobat 7.0 Pro.)
Mr. Gates did not do anyone any favors because that is only the tip of the iceberg. My Lexmark X74-75 doesn't have upgraded drivers. Then there's Jasc Paint Shop telling me I need to buy Corel's version XI in order to use the product with Vista.
If you ever have the chance to bump into Mr. Gates, tell him thanks. I am 61 years old and finally beginning to understand why kids hack their software products. They all deserve it and Vista is the case in point."
--Joe S., Jersey City, New Jersey
Even the Pros Are Annoyed
As a professional IT consultant and owner of a firm serving many clients, I share your views of Vista being (for all intents and purposes) an intermediary step to the next OS revolution.
We have halted any clients from installing Vista, and many are having trouble finding PCs without it (searching for laptops or desktops with Win XP Pro installed is a full-time job). We blogged about it on our Web site and are waiting for the two-year itch for the next OS upgrade."
--Thomas P., Huntington Beach, California
I've documented some of my experiences trying to build a PC that I can sell to clients who want Vista. Some really basic, but key add-ons, such as Real audio/video and QuickTime, aren't Vista-ready yet, In several instances I was unable to get the Java runtime to work (upon going to a site with Java content IE7 would simply close).
Pity the poor public who is pushed out of the nest and forced to fly with Vista."
--Tim W., Dallas
Many other forums are the same and I feel its a shame that vista is being rammed down our throats without a choice of buying pc`s without this add on.
cheers