I finally figured out what it is about the behavior of the new (vista) version of windows explorer that is odd.
When you look at the folder contents in the right side pane, if there are more folders than will fit WE extends the list to the right (with a scroll bar on the bottom of the window) rather than down (with the scroll bar on the right side.)
This is counter to the way extra content is handled in every other part of the computer universe. Users expect to scroll down, not right.
This UI design decision was made to help drive sales of the yet-to-be-released Microsoft mouse with the second scroll wheel that turns horizontal. :)
… and here I thought that the borg had lost it’s touch… thanx for the giggle.