and the pitter patter of the roaches or mice or rats at Oh' dark 3 am . . . [ it is the unknown of which it is that is the fear ]

Sorry for the caps, but damn [ insert happy dance here ]

And you will love me for it.

I have several computers around the house at work etc . . .

From my point XP works.

Vista was a boondoggle that someone stole money from you if you paid for it.

Win7 while I like and functions a bit better still can not be configured as easy or as well as XP. You can find out how . . . software . . . everything that can make XP do what a user would just about ever want to do . . . Win7 is far from that ability.

( btw : I have found Win7 so useful it is running a headless server . . . yes, it is reliable and works but just still not enough for the main desktop )

As the need(s) in China for power become greater it would make sense they would advance faster into the new more efficient technologies. And if you are going to build something where you need to employ the masses - support building it at home (ie in China).

Most of the United States (and Europe) power is from an aging existing system. This was once new technologies but like an old car or truck . . . drive it to the grave and hope it lasts as long as possible. Driven by the econimics of every squeezing every last dime before I invest heavily into something new.

So as long as the cost of the existing product is affordable and makes due - there is no reason to upgrade or grow.

China is at the buying stage for something new. It isn't a question of upgrading but bringing the services to the masses, and yes - they have masses on a scale that no other country face ( combined ).