Windows 7 was wildly renowned as an amazing version of windows. XP wasn't bad either. You can look at many reviews online from popular PC sites etc and they will corroborate with what I say. Unless you mean every other as in every other number (hard to explain what I'm trying to say) in which case ignore what I posted above.

Windows 8 is interesting. I will concur that it is an operating system best used with a touch screen, or one of those touch mouses. Without those it is definitely hindered. Does that make it a god awful operating system? No. Most people are just scared of change. There are those users who have genuine complaints though.

People always make it as though Windows sucks and OSX is inherently better. Apple has had its share of mishaps too, Leopard is known as a really bloated OS even on the MacRumors forums which is filled to the brim with fanboys.