Bug reporting and listing/tracking

So how do I report a bug in Windows Vista, Gmail (maybe I'll add others)??? - they don't make it that easy... So I've managed to 'em track down:

• Gmail - You get it through the help center - but you have to navigate via an unexpected route: Through their trouble shooter and then via issues with 'Registrations & Invitations"....
• Windows bugs (Vista etc) - You go via their connect system - you'll need a M$ ID. It seems you can only report issues about various subsystems though not the core OS...