That has changed. Today, Microsoft issues a stream of patches throughout the product's lifetime, with service packs used to "roll-up" all of the fixes into a single piece of software that will install all the patches released to-date. Service Packs may also install new features and upgrade old ones.

Gartner, the big IT consultant, has to begin testing Windows 7. Part of this is because Windows XP is already on what Microsoft calls "extended support" which ends in 2014. It is also, I think, recognition that Windows 7 has been thoroughly tested and Microsoft will quickly issue patches as they are required.

Finally, it may also recognize what some have already suggested: The Windows 7 not so much a new OS as it is Windows Vista Service Pack 3.

My take: While to Windows 7, it is because I am planning to purchase new hardware instead. I am not terribly concerned about showstopping bugs in Windows 7, so I am also not waiting on the Service Pack to begin using the new OS in my home office.

David Coursey tweets as and can be via his Web site.