Windows 7 User Submissions

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Compatibility

For me to choose Windows 7 x64 over any reasonable build of Linux, I'm going to need to have someone address the compatibility issues that plagued Vista x64.

For example:
Some 64-bit versions of Linux handle 16-bit application compatibility by shuffling the system resources for 32-bit applications into the top of the 32-bit space, 64-bit applications into the top of the 64-bit space, leaving the 16-bit space open for 16-bit applications to run almost native.
Windows Vista, faced with the same problem, produced an error box that incessantly mocked the user.

Non-Microsoft 32-bit applications run quite nicely on Vista x64. The original Homeworld by Relic/Sierra installs and runs out of the box with no issues. Zoo Tycoon 2 by Micro$oft claims to see 0MB of my 8GB setup. No, Micro$oft tech support, I'm not going to physically remove 6GB of RAM to make the game run. Support it. Patch it. Fix the program or the OS, and don't charge me for it.

This is not an atypical experience with Micro$oft. Every new version of the operating system further breaks compatibility, and they act like we should be grateful for what little still works.

So there's my story, here's my question:
Why should I care about any M$ release at this point? Did they finally stop doing this in Windows 7? Will my old programs and games work this time, or will I be looking for ways to upgrade back to XP again?

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