I have an Acer 6930 Windows 7 64-bit laptop, a Dell M1530 Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise (used for virtualization and has the VT-x), and a Dell XPS 400 with Windows Server 2008 Standard - Web Role.

I have had no problems with Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. I certainly have had no problems with both server versions. I kept hearing about all of the problems with Vista and I never experienced one of them. Either I'm really good at chosing my hardware, I know what I'm doing, or there are some serious bad hardware components out there.

I like the MS operating systems because they are easy to use, easy to fix, and the few times I find myself searching for an answer. I usually find it and I'm able to implement it quickly.

I also like the Linux distro from Ubuntu, who have a solid control of the kernel and they are updating their distro more often than Windows. I've installed a Ubuntu Linux distro on VMWare Player with ease under 5 minutes - ready to use. If I want to add features to the distro such as a web server role, I just go to the appropriate area and use the package installer for that.

I'm not ready for Linux yet since I'm rooted in Windows and I'm pursuing certifcation and partner competencies in MS products right now. However, I will venture over to Linux and have a Linux network running in my lab.

If I were Ballmer, I would have had a MS distro out so fast it would put to bed any issues that MS doesn't know how to play with Linux. Linux doesn't compete with Windows because they are two different core groups and OS paradigms: Windows core is relative ease of use and installation whereas Linux is power and control - people would choose the one they were comfortable with. There are linux drivers for some devices, but not every manufacturer has a dedicated driver set...yet. Some of you have Debian linux and have had no problems running it on harware that might be seven years old - okay, it's current stuff, but 256MB and 8GB HDD is old school! (BTW when I put Windows Server 2003 in VMWare, that is the resource layout it gives me for the recommended. If MS needs to do anything with Windows 8, it is to reduce the footprint).

Side Note: I loved the MS-DOS and Windows 3.11 paradigm and I was hoping that MS would have stayed with it. I felt they had so many opportunities for developers to build their own "shell". Each community (business, gaming, web dev, soft dev) could have what they want and not be stuck with what is already there.

Alas, I have to come back to the reality that MS OS model is getting an OS out every 2 to 4 years. As a partner and an IT Pro, I have to advise my clients accordingly when a new OS is released. Windows XP is working fine for now and there are ways to secure it. Windows Intune brings the cloud to SMB as an option to upgrade to Windows 7 Enteprise. Cloud computing will change how we deploy new OSes and I can't see Windows 8 being a traditional deployment option.

As for the article, it is the practice of TR to bring anything IT to the table and allow the community to discuss it. Mr. Kaelin is doing what he does for a living; post a poll about the next release of Windows OS. So, don't attack him or any other TR person because of what they post; either play or pass on the comments. I'd prefer you'd pass if your not going to post anything of value.

@spitfire, I don't think the cloud takes away the control, it gives us control. We subscribe to the services we need so the costs become fixed and sustainable while being flexible to the needs of our business. VDI is here to stay - the majority of the offerings from VMWare for bare bone virtual servers is based on a linux kernel.

Lastly, the issue of the MS OS being the bad guy is misleading. As of today, Windows XP runs without error on a Mac with Bootcamp. What does that tell me? 1)The underlying hardware is solid, 2) The drivers installed on XP are happy drivers and 3)Even with emulation software, XP is rock solid.

So the issue has never been the MS OS; it's been the lack of quality parts from the hardware industry. I will concede that MS is a beast when dealing with the hardware community. It costs a lot of money to get on the hardware quality lists. However, my machines I stated at the top of this post are working just fine and have been for years. I'm sure there are some savvy builders in here that have build some monster machines and are using XP, Vista, or 7 without fail.

I don't think it really matters what MS is doing with the next OS. It will take some time for the business industry to integrate the new OS. I just finished a job where they were using a combination of Vista and XP as the OS. When MS does come out with Windows 8 and it turns out to be a shallow product, people will wait until the SP before investing in it.