You can always run "some" windows applications/programs under Ubuntu, using a thing called WINE.
Now, I've never actually used this myself, but I have heard of people that have and can't fault the thing.
Greg,
I can really understand what you're saying about staying a version or two behind with Windows OS's.
I see that Windows 8 is in the pipeline, however I can't really see that selling that well.
I can't help but feel that the reason that Windows 7 sold so well, was people were trying to distance themselves from the Vista system they were using before W7 was released.
My 2nd desktop computer here runs W7 and although it took a bit to learn to drive it, initially, I really can't fault it at all.
I will say this though, if anyone needs a hand to get started with Ubuntu, start your own thread in this section and we'll get it sorted for you.
The beauty of an OS like Linux, is that you can do so much with so little memory and drive space