fiid you must be a java guy.....I pretty much agree with everything you said up until what .net is designed to do and good at.
I've developed web apps, sites, portals and web services in both java and .net.... and .net is much easier to use, has less configuration issues and MS is doing a very good job at adapting to the changing internet landscape (see .net version 2.0 and Visual Studio Express which is free ).
MS Security is always at the mercy of how good your architects and server engineers are. Tech support is actually very good if you are at the premier level in my experience. but that costs bucks like you stated.
but i like java too....its a fine technology. Both are good.
PHP on the other hand, we should ask andy what he thinks of that...
sorry if people are bored with the tech talk