reg, i highly recommend you check out linux. its better than windows in many ways. and for all the programs you want to use on linux, there is a better option already built in, or is a quick download away. the only problem is no games.
but think about it, without an os, which you can't really afford you can't do anything on your computer. with linux (i recommend suse9.1) you can still browse the net, type docs, listen to music and you'll get a chance to learn about open source.
you have any questions about linux, or what it has to offer (i sound like i work for them don't i) make a post about it, or pm me.