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I have extensive experience with many different browsers and email clients over many years. My personal computer experience started when I designed and build a 6502 based microcomputer from a $25 engineering kit (CPU and Manuals) from the manufacturer. I have been in the business continuously since that time. I support about 300 PCs of various vintages for a couple of dozen small businesses. So take my opinion for what it is worth.

Although much improved over a few years ago, MS network apps are still very vulnerable. The only advantage they have is the ability to render pages that were written in such a way as to break HTML standards (the old embrace and extend by MS). And that is what I keep them around for.

Use Mozilla/Firefox/Thunderbird for your day to day work under any variant of Windows. Get your Windows PCs behind a router (any Home/Small Office router will do) and keep your antivirus and anti-spyware software up to date.

Or better, just get a Knoppix or Xandros Linux CD and install a real OS on your PC. (I use Debian, but then I am a propeller-head of the first water).

"Use Mozilla/Firefox/Thunderbird for your day to day work under any variant of Windows"

You won't find me dead touching any open source crap.
BTW, my day to day work must be alright, I just got a promotion. :)

Plus productivity figures for America (where nearly every office uses Microsoft Office and IE) keep rising much faster than in Europe (where open source is a religion).
Doesn't seem like your theory hold too much water, does it?