The case for the /usr merge

"I suspect that the problem is not with software authors not understanding the speed of hardware development, but with them underestimating the lifespan of their projects."

Of course, it's also to IHV's advantage for their hardware to become obsolete in a few years. After all, how were they to know that hard drives would increase in size so fast?

Today, they are happy to sell you a new system that is 100x more powerful, which will do for you... about as much as your old system did.

A permanent state of hyperinflation which people are so used to that they hardly notice that they are on a treadmill. Fundamentally, there is less reason to replace their computers than to replace their cars.

Computers generally don't wear out. Except for hard drives. And if the new drive won't work with your old machine, planned obsolescence wins again.

And the "ka-ching!" sound of the cash register rings again at Dell, or HP, or Acer.

-Steve