Don't expect any windows or DOS programs to run under linux (for the same reason they wont run on say a MacIntosh). There is a program called wine that may run some windows programs but don't count on it. Just so you know.
On the other hand, Linux comes with a lot of software that perform functions similar to windows programs. There are email programs, and internet browsers, word processors, and spreadsheets.
Whatever you do, if you need some functionality of windows, then make sure you keep a windows partition around somewhere to fall back on.
Glitz.