The issue boils down to this:
Hi we're Creative, we are working to get legacy cards working in Vista but havent been able to do so yet, we offer these cards which are completely Vista compatible in the mean time
1-2 years later, still working on it.
Hi Im Daniel K, evidently Creative has abandoned these cards, here is a fully functioning driver for free BUT if you would like to send me a donation here is the address.
Creative fans rejoice
Creative wipes egg from face, does some research and homes in on the donations portion of the FREE offer.
Creative, realizing that a single guy working for donations that arent required has done what they couldnt(refused to ) do in 2+ years decides to release an Open letter.
Creative users all look at the letter and realize that nothing in the letter is anything more then grandstanding and whining about the guy who made Creative look like fools.
Creative users begin lambasting Creative for their (in)actions, and some decide to destroy their cards as proof of their dislike of Creative.
Creative meanwhile is sitting back, holding their hands over their ears and chanting "LALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALALA", hoping the furor will go away.
End users LOSE regardless. If you buy Vista your current sound card(assuming Creative) will be borked functionalitywise due to Creative looking at $$$ as their prime motivator.
I will not buy directly from Creative again, I will not stop using my Audigy2zs or my Harmony or anything that is Creative made, BUT, I WILL only buy them second hand or through a reseller to "in theory" take money away from Creative.
I object to the RIAA/MPAA as a corporate entity and while I havent bought a CD in years, all of my DVD's are bought secondhand from Pawnshops and Blockbusters previously viewed section.