re (a) : is not just a communication problem. a lot of solutions from previous generation are dramatically less easy than newer offerings. IMHO nosql and cloud compute offerings we're like this.
the problem with folks hating on new technology "x" is often failing to see that the new thing might only offer one significant advantage over the prior tech, or they see it, but discount it too heavily to be motivated to try it.
For (a), it's hard to say where the problem is: is it developers of new solutions who threw the baby out with the bathwater instead of fixing problems of proven methods? Or is it with demand side that's quick to jump on those new thing? Or is it demand side in the sense that they rarely fund solutions to problems with their almost-good-enough software?
the problem with folks hating on new technology "x" is often failing to see that the new thing might only offer one significant advantage over the prior tech, or they see it, but discount it too heavily to be motivated to try it.