One year ago today, Windows Vista was released to the public.  After a tumultuous development period, users were finally able to get their hands on the next generation of the Windows Operating System.  As Vista approached, we all were racing to get ready for it.  WinCustomize was rebuilt, we prepared the launch of DeskScapes, and we spent weeks providing in-depth coverage of what Vista was, what it wasn't, and what it could mean for the user.

So 365 days and a reported 100 million licenses later, can Vista be declared a success?  Is it everything you hoped for and more?

The first year has definitely been plagued by stability and compatibility issues, performance problems and general frustration at learning a new OS.  But it steadily grows in popularity.  A service pack is on the way, and with each patch the system becomes increasingly stable.  Device drivers are beginning to mature, and software is being updated to properly work.

There are still kinks in the system, such as the UAC still being a supreme annoyance, and the Start Menu remaining an absolute embarrassment.  But we've seen, at least here on WinCustomize a very steady growth trend.

In the first month of Vista's release (February '07), Vista topped out at 9.8% of our overall traffic.  As the year dragged on, that percentage grew.  Today, Windows Vista accounts for nearly a quarter of our daily traffic.

This is probably due to our increased support for Vista in our skinning products.  DeskScapes 1.0 put us on the map with many Vista Users with the addition of Dynamic Dreams for Windows Vista Ultimate, and now with the impending release of 2.0, our appeal grows as we invite in users of virtually every edition of Windows Vista, not just the top-end super-expensive SKU.

And over the last 12 months we've updated WindowBlinds, IconPackager, TweakVista, SoundPackager, ObjectDock and more to take advantage of the new tech available in Vista.

So after a full year, where are you on the Vista issue?  Have you switched?  Have you dipped your toes in the New OS waters?  Or are you clinging to XP for your very life, refusing to switch ever ever ever?