Windows has one huge advantage over Linux-- advertising. But your point is valid-- each has its advantages. Vista is awesome for people who know nothing about computers and have absolutely no wish to.
And for the fact that it is very easy to use and the most practical option due to the fact that Windows is the most widely used OS, therefore the vast majority of programs are made for Windows as the main OS in mind...
The majority of people on the forum use Windows in one form or another, and I would like to think that a lot of those tend to know what they are on about with regards to computers, so to say "it is awesome for people who know nothing about computers", it clearly isn't true, it is just the whole Linux "I am better than you because I'm different" argument.
I love Linux and I think Linux, when made into a half decent operating system, is an outstanding piece of software, but for the amount of support Windows gets, both from hardware and software manufacturers and the familiarity most people with it, from learning to use computers, using Windows computers at work or school, in your local library or netcafe, it is the absolute best option for
nearly every user, not just the "stupid" ones.
OT - I, personally, have had far more issues with XP than I ever have done with Vista or 7.
Compare Windows XP to Windows 95. When you do that, XP is a disgusting excuse for an OS because of the amount of resources it uses. But technology moves on, what is the point in making new, more powerful hardware if users will just complain that the software actually requires it? So what that Vista needs more memory, it handles it better, and as a full system, it is better than XP was, even though it has moved along with the times.
I'm sat using Vista now, my main system used to use it (before I went to 7, because that is better than Vista), my backup laptop uses it, not a single one is running slowly or having issues, and these are cheap systems, not all singing, all dancing ones