I too noticed none of the DOS games would run, but then again, I don't really use DOS games... Perhaps if I got DOSbox (The emulation thing for DOS games), my DOS games would run. XP users were known to have DOSbox too, so I don't see the harm in trying.
The one thing that is bothering me about Vista is Dev-C++ will give a bunch of exceptions when starting up, and attempting to compile.... I assume it has something to do with the DOS compatability, but I've started using Code::Blocks because I found a need for the MSVC++ Toolkit, and Code::Blocks gives only one exception (So far).
If all else fails, I do have MSVC++ 2005 Express Edition, and there is a Vista service pack for it. Plus my code should run with MSVC++ without excessive tweaking. So I don't see any real harm to my development with Vista, plus SP1 is on the way, and I hear that improves speed.
Seppuku, my suggestion would be to just get Vista and keep it. If for nothing else then for the sake of being able to use the most up to date software and not having to buy it again when you actually need it. Besides, who doesn't like eye candy?
Also, interesting fact, and I'm stumbled at why this is so, but Vista is actually running faster than my XP computer, um, wtf? I know a bunch of you have a sluggish feeling with Vista, but for me everything is really instant! My Vista performance rating is 2.1, so.... I'm a bit confused at why it's faster than my XP, but whatever, let it be, heh heh.
The UAC is GREAT for me. See, I don't mind the popups, those give me time to think (Not about what I'm doing, though it does let me know about that as well, but to complete a thought when programming, ex: "Okay, everything is done... Compiling..." (2 seconds later) "NO WAIT! I gotta add in
THIS!", so Vista helps me there). Plus, it keeps my sister nice and annoyed, and that is always a good in my book.
Also, OpenGL is running faster on my Vista than my XP, in software mode that is (No hardware acceleration, check out Basic4GL). I don't know how well it performs with hardware acceleration.
Cheers,
-naota