I didn't read the entire thread, but I agree with some people here in different points.
First of all, keep up the good work
those screenshots look niiiiiice
Then, there's a dilemma that will never end. Long time ago I remember most people wasn't going to upgrade to XP because of their own reasons (myself included), either by not enough money to buy it, the hardware to run it, or just 'cause they were happy with their 98/ME/2000. Look at yourself now - I don't think you're using Linux for using DBP/FPSC (and if you do, tell me how? xD). Surely you'd be running 98 (in the worst cases) or XP.
The thing is... it is not NOW that we will upgrade. Hell, Vista isn't even out yet, why the arguement? we're gonna end up using it anyways, but not -now-. Of course... there's the ones who wish to keep up with the latest stuff and maybe will spend their christmas money on a 300Ghz/10Gb RAM/2Gb video comp... just remember that not everyone can buy a beast like that.
Then here comes the adquisitive (spelling?) problem. Not everyone can get a computer like that just to get Vista running. The uncompatibility generated with software developed for Vista will annoy most of XP/2k/ME/98 users (and that's a way to make people upgrade... I'm not gonna say what I think about this, but I'm sure you can figure it out). If TGC then starts working with FPSC/DBPro for DX10... what will happen to the XP/2k/ME/98 users? will those products be discontinued and abandoned, just for a platform that isn't even to the user-level economically, and that it won't be for at least a year or two?
Vista's requeriments are excessive in my opinion, the "Z0MG DONT UZE DAT CRAPPY COMP U WORK FOR LYK 400 YEARS AND BUY DA COMP" isn't gonna work nor me nor with most users right now, at the moment, if people upgrade it will be for neccessity mostly, and not for just wanting the latest stuff (some will though).
To put it short, Vista is the new thing, but isn't going to be in every home's microwave, and if Vista isn't... then FPSC with DX10 won't, either.
Something personal: This december I'm gonna get (as christmas present) a 2.0Ghz celeron comp. It
may not be the greatest thing but it's gonna be an improvement compared to my 933Mhz. Imagine if Vista were the only way to get DBPro working and they stopped shipping the XP versions: My upgrade would be in vain, because my GF4 Ti 4200 wouldn't be able to run Vista (or will it? I don't know but I hope...) and thus it would be something stupid to do.
I say, just stay with the XP versions. Work with DX10 as much as you want, but don't forget that not everyone will and shall upgrade the same time you all will, and it's the OS that's mostly in home users, the "garage" game developers who use TGC products.
Don't start an arguement for something we're gonna end up using anyways, not
now but surely in a few years. Hopefully, TGC won't leave XP users behind
"As sudden as I arrive, as sudden as I leave."