Words are inadequate

My first question is to how, precisely, those programs of ghosts and werewolves and whatnot were simply earlier matrix programs if they were still referred to, even if only in whispers, in the current Matrix. Why would rumors of them persist- surely, there weren't that many of them spared, were there? Unless, of course, they were just another manifestation of the whole 'hostile world' the Matrix was supposed to project, in which case, my compliments to directors.
Also, one thing that didn't strike me until long after I'd left the theater- whatever happened to Smith had some pretty enormous effects- it actually enabled him to leave the matrix.
Another question- if the floor is one that 'no elevator can reach', then how do they get there?
But I have to say the best Q&A session came from the Architect's speech- he explained why the Matrix was created to simulate the 21st century and why the humans weren't killed as soon as they set foot inside it. Most importantly, though, was the fact that he mentioned that this was the Matrix 6.0- and that each previous time, Zion had been destroyed. This raised the question- What, then, is the purpose of the Matrix? It can't be just to hold the rest of humanity- Zion's been destroyed before- and rebuilt at the will of the machines (why?)- so what, then?
Also- the councilor mentions that he's been free since he was eleven. If Zion's been destroyed five times over the past century, wouldn't someone of his age remember it?
Most importantly, though, the Architect says that they will destroy Zion- "We've done it six times, we're getting quite good at it!". This makes me wonder- since Zion was still under siege in 6.0, when was the sixth time it was destroyed?