Matt's Brother
I've been using Windows 7 off/on for the past week or so since the beta was leaked. Its a huge improvement over Vista in terms of "upgrading" the Windows UI. It has so many little tricks and subtle effects that really add to the usability of the operating system.
The taskbar is very customizable. The default is a new design, similar to the OSX dock by having icons function as shortcuts as well as the program tab, but its smaller and its easier to use. Pretty much expanding upon the traditional Windows Quick Launch feature. If you mouse over the icon for whatever program you're using, it'll pop up with real-time thumbnails of each instance/window of that program that is opened. The way I set the taskbar is similar to the original Windows design, just added with the new icon-functionality of Windows7. The programs I have opened are shown as full tabs on the taskbar and that when they are closed, the program icon stays on the taskbar, functioning as a Quick Launch shortcut.
I've not had many problems installing things so far. Unfortunately, I can't install VirtualCloneDrive or DaemonTools, but WinAmp, Pidgin, Firefox, uTorrent, and Last.FM work great.
I really want to get the full version when its released this winter.
Oh yeah, I saw They Mean Us last night with Cesar and when we were leaving, some guy threw rocks at my car. Totally sweet.