well you can get kind of old look by opening task bar properties and selecting "Never combine", you can pin things to taskbar and use it like quick launch.

i like the new taskbar more(especially that you can change the order of the buttons, being able see file copy/delete/move progress on the button etc. and the new system tray.)

only thing i miss is embedding "windows media player" to taskbar, other then that it's better imo.

i was using vista, i already removed it completely, but since i cant rely on a beta OS i installed XP as a side-kick to 7. didnt have any problems yet tho.(it's like fixed vista alraedy, vista was breaking down more.)

I didnt hate vista,but didt like it more than XP too. But i really like 7, and hope to get it free from MSDNAA.(i got Vista that way :D)

edit:
found that about quick laucnh: http://triso.me/Win7QuickLaunch (old style taskbar.)