Sounds like a good plan. A semi-ded should be able to handle that load fine.
Now, I would assume this to be the same for Windows as linux but if you need a hand installing an app, support are usually more than happy to help. If it's freeware then they'll do if for you or if it's licensed, you would need to purchase the license and get the software and then they would help get it installed if you get stuck.
