A great book to read on this and other great computer mysteries is 

"The Inmates Are Running the Asylum : Why High Tech Products Drive Us Crazy
and How To Restore The Sanity" by Alan Cooper

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0672316498/107-3088038-9990107

Once you read it there will be some "enlightening" experiences.   I loved
the book and it makes you really think.   Now if all Linux gurus would read
this . . . it would be great.

-- Bradley Miller