This morning Wired put up the [annual list of predictions][9] for the new year, but we're more conservative over here at Monkey Bites so we've compiled our own list, but we've tried to keep things a touch more realistic. Most of this stuff is either officially scheduled for release or widely believed to be arriving in the next twelve months.

Of course there's always the chance that some of this stuff will find its way to our vaporware list by the end of next year, but in the mean time raise your glass with unbridled optimism as you peruse our list of Things We're Looking Forward To.


*	[Windows Vista][2]. We've got some concerns about DRM and security, but we're cautiously optimistic about Redmond's new system. Here's to upgrades and security patches.

*	[OS X Leopard][3]. Chock full of what looks like great features. We're looking forward to putting this one through the paces.  

*	We want our MP3s and we want them DRM-free. Okay maybe we've had too much of that special punch that's been fermenting since the office Christmas party, but we like to believe 2007 will see a DRM-free, **legal** alternative to the iTunes Music store. And by legal we mean legal in the United States (i.e. not AllofMP3.com).

*	Thunderbird 2.0. Our tests of the first beta [whetted our appetite][4] for the real thing. Would a good IMAP mail client be too much to ask for in 2007?

*	µTorrent for Linux and Mac. We [love][1] this little client and with BitTorrent Inc. at the helm chances are good that µTorrent will be cross platform by the end of the year.

*	[OpenOffice.org][5] finishes the port to Mac OS X and/or NeoOffice improves. We have nothing against MS Office per say, but we [like open document formats][6]. And we like free -- in all senses of the word.

*	Full release of the Adobe line. We're [lovin' the PhotoShop CS3 beta][7] and looking forward to the full suite which should arrive some time in the second quarter of the year, but what's up with those icons?

*	Would it be too much to ask for an end to OS flame wars? Or is that punch kicking again -- who knew ergot fungi were so tangy? After all, as [Joel points out][8], software is just a tool to help you get laid. 

*	Speaking of which we're also hoping for more tall hot blonds, or perhaps we're misunderstanding the whole "long tail" thing again?

[1]: http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2006/10/best_of_bt_torr.html "Monkey Bites on µTorrent"
[2]: http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2006/11/windows_vista_i.html "Vista Release Date Explained"
[3]: http://www.tuaw.com/2006/10/19/screenshots-from-the-latest-leopard-build/ "Leopard screenshots on TUAW"
[4]: http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2006/12/mozilla_has_rel.html "Thunderbird 2.0 beta 1 reviewed"
[5]: http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2006/11/open_office_21_.htm "OpenOffice RC1 available for download"
[6]: http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2006/12/office_document.html "Monkey Bites on ODF"
[7]: http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2006/12/elsewhere_on_wi.html "Monkey Bites on Photoshop CS3"
[8]: http://www.joelonsoftware.com/items/2006/12/15.html "Joel on Software: Software is a tool to help you get laid"
[9]: http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,72370-0.html?tw=wn_index_6 "Wired's 2007 predictions"