Hi Jim.
Perhaps I'm being unfair - because the list of changes - yes, I read it
- looked unappetising I wondered whether I should bother, so I haven't actually tried it.
The link bar is maybe cute if you want to avoid switching to a browser or you want to search comfortably on Amazon or whatever, but I don't. My HTPC has no Internet connection 99% of the time because I refuse to be disturbed by pop-ups and updates. (no, not just from MC). I only connect it occasionally when I consider an update necessary. I do everything else on my workhorse PC and then just beam it over from a USB stick.
Tagging: I'm more than happy with tagging as it is. Essentially, I'm extremely happy with the audio features with just a few reservations in Theater View which I have mentioned elsewhere.
Where I'm not happy at all is with the lack of DVB-S functionality. For anyone who has no cable TV, this is a must for anything calling itself a media centre. Personally, I can't understand paying for cable with thousands of Free-To-Air sat stations out there (okay, most are rubbish, lets says hundreds), but maybe this is not the case in the US.
I'll probably end up upgrading anyway just to see, it's not big bucks, I just wanted to air my disappointment.