The buzz about Windows 7 has been mostly positive since Microsoft released the first beta of the upcoming operating system a couple weeks ago. And today, two highly influential technology reviewers sealed the deal with largely complimentary reviews of Windows 7 -- further improving the company's chances of bouncing back from Windows Vista's public-relations debacles.

In terms of popular approval, it's becoming clear that Windows Vista is President Bush and Windows 7 is President Obama. The verdict is still out on the successor's long-term chances, but so far people are feeling pretty good. Unfortunately, as in politics, we're going to have to suffer through Windows Vista's lame-duck period until the new operating system's final release, presumably later this year.

That, at least, is the impression left by today's reviews from the Wall Street Journal's Walt Mossberg and the New York Times' David Pogue. Here's the money quote from Mossberg's review:

Even in beta form, with some features incomplete or imperfect, Windows 7 is, in my view, much better than Vista, whose sluggishness, annoying nag screens, and incompatibilities have caused many users to shun it. It’s also a serious competitor, in features and ease of use, for Apple’s current Leopard operating system.

And Pogue concludes with this message for current Windows Vista users.

Now, plenty of people online are reacting to Windows 7 by muttering: “Oh, great. So I’m supposed to pay another $150 to get a version of Windows that actually works? How about you pay me for spending three years as your Vista beta-tester?” ... That’s fine, but being bitter won’t get you a better PC. Windows 7, on the other hand, probably will.

Granted, the reviews are not pure sunshine, but on an otherwise gloomy day for the company, they're a momentary ray of light for the beleaguered Windows team.