There are some good things....

I've found that when I get a new mobile phone, it's never quite what I want.  The first time I got a flip phone, it was because I was tired of making pocket calls.  I do not understand the bright individual in R&D at Samsung that decided that this particular flip phone should be able to place calls while it was closed.  Then I get a different flip phone that no longer lets me check the clock without opening it.  Why can't I get a phone that has all the features I want, and none of the features I don't?  Well, the same goes for Windows.  A lot of trash is talked about Vista, UAC notwithstanding, but I want to take a moment to talk about the features I like (I also got a PC with Vista *after* SP1 was rolled out, so I skipped the worst of the bugs).


Searching the Start Menu
I can't tell you how much time I've spent with 2000 and XP configuring start menu folders to make the programs I use, and there are a lot, easier to find.  It drives me insane to see disorganised menus 3 columns wide using a partially implemented alphabetisation system, especially when many programs are placed in subfolders named for the software developer (why am I looking for Sierra when I want to find Homeworld?).
When I first discovered that Vista (and later 7) allows you to simply search the start menu for programs, this whole process of sorting crap in the start menu ended.  My 7 start menu is a nightmare to browse, but I never browse it.  Having experienced this feature makes navigating XP painful.

Appealing Default Skin
I seem to care about this a lot more than other people I know, but I like my computer to look cool.  Well, gone are the days of using WindowBlinds.  Aero looks cool.  I mean, I really like it.  Way to go, Microsoft, I actually like the look of Windows now that you extended the visual choices beyond plain grey and WTF green start button.

The '3D' window tabbing
I confess, when I first heard about this, I thought it was a stupid idea.  I figured it was useless crap like this that was the reason recommended RAM was being pushed to 1GB.  But when I actually got a chance to use it, it's pretty cool.  It's smooth and seamless, and it actually makes things a lot easier when you keep a bunch of windows open (like I do).  It pulls all the windows out and rotates them about 30° so you can scroll through and see everything that's open.  It's a whole lot easier than trying to remember what every icon represents while alt-tabbing, especially if you have multiple browser windows.

It's all this stuff that almost makes me forget how incredibly obnoxious the new file search has become.  Indexing folders?  It doesn't make things easier when the options are all buried behind hidden menus and arbitrary terminology.  I don't search for files that regularly, so I really liked the old-school method of choosing a location, and entering the file name, then walking off to go mix a drink while the computer churned away.