Microsoft launches Windows Vista, rules world with iron fist

You know, we all hate to say it, but can you think of any one product that affects IT more than Microsoft Windows? If you said either Cheetos or Mountain Dew, you're wrong. While many of us never thought we'd see the day, Microsoft somehow managed to get Vista, Office and IE7 out of the door in 2006, just like they said they would. The first major update to the Windows platform in five years, Vista completely overhauls the look of XP (in favor of what some are calling a Mac-like interface) and brings all sorts of new functionality to the Windows platform. While it may be years before some of us actually encounter Vista in the workplace, 2006 will long be known as the year that Microsoft threw down the gauntlet and started the upgrade cycle all over again. Stop this crazy thing, I want to get off!