vpn connection browsing remote network

Well, somehow I've managed to get connected via a VPN connection to my company's server. It is not at all like XP Pro's easy VPN, and is actually sort of strange.
To make this short, here's what I did: I installed Vista Beta 2 on a computer at my office and joined the network domain locally connected via a CAT 5 to the server at work.
I then took the machine home, and hooked it up to my home router (connected through a very fast Cable-modem). I have another machine on my home network which is also joined to the office domain, and I connect to it regularly using VPN, and doing so, I can use Outlook and get all of our company's Public Calendars, Master Contacts, and also receive my office mail remotely.
I set the Vista machine up right next to the XP Pro machine at home. Connected to the same router. Then I used (or tried to use) the same essential settings as those contained on the XP Pro machine to create the VPN connection on the Vista machine.
For a while, it wouldn't work, and then I checked a couple of advanced settings (believe me, at this point, I have no idea what I did since I just don't remember). But miraculously, I can now connect the Vista machine to my remote work server via a VPN connection.
I still can't configure Microsoft Exchange to be able to work with the Office 2007 Outlook Beta...
But the wierd thing is that I also can't seem to actually browse the office network either.
Using XP Pro, I could simply use Windows Explorer, go to "Network" then click on "Microsoft Network" then find the Domain name, and click on it, and I'd be able to browse all of the office server's network shares.
That isn't working either in Vista's VPN connection. I use Vista's Explorer, click on "Network" and all it does is show me the two computers at home which are also members of the work domain. It won't show me any of the remote server shares at all, and I also suspect this is why it won't recognize my "xxx.mail" for Outlook either.
Anyone got any suggestions, practical tips, help, or anything that can make this work?
Frankly, after playing around for the past week with Vista, I really don't see what all the excitement is about. XP Pro does everything Vista does, and it does it better. I've never been slammed with a virus, am careful about what websites I visit, have no spyware on my machines, and they have worked flawlessly for the past five years.
Someone, please, tell me why I'm going to want to switch to Vista? So I can go through hours and hours of crap, trying to get what works flawlessly in XP Pro to sorta, kinda, maybe work in Vista?
I just don't get it.....This is the best Microsoft can do? And there's no frigging documentation either.
Yes, I guess we really all are just beta testers....I'll send them my bill for my time testing this stuff. Oh, and it still doesn't work.
The Vista