Assuming you own a copy of Windows Vista, and someone puts up a modified version for download, is it technically a "warez"?

Yes, it is. If MS or other authorised retail outlet hasn't sold it to you, then it is not a legal copy.

Does this guy ever stop? <rant rant rant...ad infinitum>

I'm only going to say one thing:
That's maybe a reason for anyone out here to stop arguing.
Even when you continue arguing for a century or longer, people will always have different opinions and there's no one who can ever change this fact.
There's only one person who doesn't seem to get it and that is The Mad Hatter.

I still find it a bit ridiculous though that someone who uses "tux4life" as an alias likes Windows, and dislikes Linux. It's just soooo wrong!

I've already admitted that I get you. You like Windows. I dislike Windows. You like Pepsi, I like Coke.

Well, that's because I was not aware of the fact that I'd be a Linux island in a sea of Windows users at the time I chose my alias
You have to understand that my brothers and I share one computer which can be used by three of us at the same time (thanks to terminal services).
I don't want to be selfish and have a Linux install which can only be used by one of us (myself of course ) at a time, and yes: I know you can set up Linux as a terminal server as well, but I never managed to do it, I still prefer those couple of clicks I have to do in Windows to set it up as opposed to this real nightmare in Linux (for me).
When I could get this right, then I can start thinking about partly migrating to Linux (and still having a dual boot with Windows for gaming).
I hope you understand my point of view about Linux, there are just some drawbacks for me (my wireless card which I can't get to work (you know, I'm really internet-dependent) and in Windows it's only a matter of quickly installing some drivers from a CD which came with the box; another important thing is that I really need terminal services (or multiseat)).
Those drawbacks make it very difficult for me to start using Linux, it just requires too much time for me to get things right under Linux.
I just want an OS where I (and my environment (e.g. family)) feel comfortable with (this involves that I just can't permit to let all those crucial things take up sooooo much of my expensive time).

Just to get things right: I dislike Pepsi, I prefer *real* coke from the Coca-Cola company .

I just want an OS where I (and my environment (e.g. family)) feel comfortable with (this involves that I just can't permit to let all those crucial things take up sooooo much of my expensive time).

I know - it was just a rhetorical question. I think that you should be able to modify your operating system. Microsoft thinks you shouldn't be able to. They won't convince me, and I won't convince them.