You're a Windows user. You require Windows programs. You know how to work with Windows. Linux doesn't claim to be all things to all men. Go back to using Windows.
The reason I am trying Linux is that earlier this year at the Windows Exhibition, I had a talk with a Suse rep. He extolled the virtues of Linux and said that I could run all my Windows apps on it. So I am trying it. Yes I need my Windows apps because the equivalent is not available in Linux. But as we all know Win 98 is a bag of nails. Falls over, commits suicide, you name it. I don't defend it at all. I am looking for a more stable platform. Suse said I would find Linux better, I am trying it.
Linux has plenty of problems, as does Windows. The problems are different: Linux users don't suffer viruses, but we don't have a really decent DVD player; Linux users don't experience constant crashes, but the depth of applications available is much much less than Windows. At a technical level there's not much to choose - I'm completely out of my depth with Windows but I can solve most problems I experience with Linux. It's just a case of different skill sets. You can run Windows apps under Linux if you're prepared to fork out money for Vmware, but if you just want your Windows apps, run Windows. Windows under Linux/Vmware is still Windows, so it still crashes and gets its bum infected. You gain nothing. If you're prepared to invest time and effort learning Linux and its application set, carry on. Vmware may well help you migrate. From your original post I figured you just want a magic wand which allows you to run Windows programs in a stable, virus free environment. That's not what Linux is about.