Why get Vista when Windows 7 is out the second half of 2009 ?
Which is for ever seeming to be the case and if development goes on at pace even earlier
http://apcmag.com/7874/windows_7_to_be_released_next_yearRoad map leaks for vista (longhorn) etc have all been correct in the past so defiantly hold this as water tbh
IF you google there are a lot of other leaks like the fact the other software development plans have been placed on hold as also other leaks have shown the windows team has been expanded
It does look like MS have gone "fine, vista is not what people wanted" but will never admit the cock up, like with ME I am sure later next year they will start calling it a platform for the future of the os etc.
The screenshot is 98% sure a fake but one rumour floating around is that the interface is much more of what games like WOW are with an interface system you can not only customise but have a coding system of your own, basically every aspect is a widgit/gadgit enclosed item to make your own interface.
Probably the case with it being full hog in development and scaled right back to have the old start bar as default etc by the time it comes to release.
At least we know the kernal will be cood and nippy
What people seem to know about 7 is..
http://apcmag.com/7668/beyond_vista_windows_7_what_we_know_so_farMaking the UI a separate affair would be a good thing, Be a gamer or not people who play or know of the game world of warcraft and for example know the interface is based on LUA and very much controlled by the user with addons and ways to adjust the interface to suit the user but still have boundaries and limitations put in by the game creators to prevent you doing things they do not want you to do
http://apcmag.com/6741/new_ui_for_windows_7The people who changed the look of office in such a big way amid user input and what the user wanted things are now on the windows 7 team leading the way for a new interface and have been allowed to start from scratch so 7 could more then likely end up with what people like from windows and what they like of OSX with custom ui abilities