The functioning of a computer is no longer limited to the confines of its own hard drive, and operating systems were bound to reflect this networked reality. The underlying frustration with Microsoft and its seemingly endless upgrade cycles has more to do with our well-founded resistance to learn and pay for innovations that we haven't asked for, and don't really need. Most of us could get by quite nicely with the first computer and operating system we ever used. In fact, though we have barely begun to tap the power of the computers we already own, countless research dollars are being spent devising bigger and better systems and programs. It is not human passion for innovation that is driving this effort, or even the force of technology itself, but economics.
Capitalist economies are dependent on an expansion of the gross national product in order to thrive.
There is no such thing as enough. Simply stated, we must produce and consume more stuff every quarter to keep the economic engine churning. Technology increases the opportunities for shopping. We can buy more things more quickly online than we can at a shopping centre. We can also supply and produce many goods more efficiently.