Are you like me? The more I use Vista, the more impressed I am. I am also impressed with the way Microsoft has ironed out bugs and annoyances with each new build. I was pretty psyched already, but now I feel even more enthusiastic about this really very cool new operating system.

To me, it is often all in the details. It is the little things that matter. "Windows Vista Technical Evangelist" Tim Sneath has, on his blog, been recently pointing out some of these little things. I'll pass on a few of my favorites, but don't forget to pay his site a visit.

One of the first things I added to my XP installation was the Startup Control Panel by Mike Lin . Vista has a similar tool, System Configuration, already. Get to this, says Tim Sneath, by typing "System Configuration" in the start menu search bar (which acts as a Run box as well).

How about this neat little tidbit for us keyboard commandos--your quick launch apps are automatically assigned hotkey strokes! Use the Windows Key+1, Win+2, etc. to launch the corresponding quick launch application!

Here's one I know I'll be using. Have you ever needed to input the complete filepath to a file? In XP, if you didn't want to type the entire thing, you'd have to browse to the folder, copy the folder path from the Explorer window address box, paste that into whatever you're working on, then complete the filepath by typing, or again copying and pasting, the filename itself. An extremely cumbersome process, really. Now, in a "hidden context menu" accessed by Shift-Right Clicking on the file, there is a menu option to "Copy as Path"! I think I will find this to be a timesaver.

I don't have a mouse wheel, I use an ooold Kensington trackball with four buttons and no wheel, but I may consider giving it up to take advantage of this next tip. Folder views. Vista has neat new thumbnail sizes, and enhanced versions of the other standard views, like Details and List. Vista even makes switching between these views fairly easy with its toolbar. But how about this! Hold down Ctrl and scroll your mouse wheel to switch to the most convenient Folder View! If you do this Ctrl-Scroll on the desktop, you can adjust the size of your desktop icons!

There's more hints and tips and little details on Tim's Blog, and I'm discovering neat little touches everyday too. Like the way the tree view in explorer windows scrolls horizontally automatically to keep info in view as the indentations would normally head off the right side. And the help for Vista is much more useful. I don't think I have ever been anything but frustrated by the XP "Troubleshooters", but Vista really can not only help you find a solution, it sometimes even will walk you through so you learn along the way. Sweet.

I haven't really settled into Vista yet, myself. New builds of first the framework then the OS itself just kept coming at me faster than I could keep up. But after I post this, I'll be installing RC2, which I see has completed downloading, and plan to really immerse myself.

Good times. Good times.