"Outdated"? How do you define "outdated"?
An OS, like any tool, needs to be suited for the task. An OS, like any tool, is "outdated" only when it cannot effectively and efficiently perform the task required. Understand?
I maintain a fairly large number of computers, both professionally and for family. All are Windows XP. I've standardized on a select few applications for firewall (either Outpost, or Windows Firewall), antiVirus (SystemSuite 7), and malware (Spybot). All are set to automatically update themselves with no user interaction (even Spybot grabs updates from the internet in the background without user interaction!!!).
Security maintenance is virtually zero-effort when you STANDARDIZE, and when you are an experienced professional that knows what you are doing. I gently suggest that "bitman"'s methods are "outdated"