Sounds like a Linux or Mac user's vengeful untruth[:D]
The only thing that you're likely to lose as far as software are ancient win95 and DOS programs, and 3rd party utilities software, such as Norton Systemworks.
I kept my extensive library of software(100+ programs of all ages and descriptions) up and running, with the sole exception of Norton(and I knew about that one).
Office '97 works just fine too.
Go ahead and upgrade, and then go turn all of the silly XP visual settings off, especially unde rthe system properties, set it for performance, not appearance. It's quite the compatible powerhouse once you tone down the feel-good look.
Bible questions, too, will also be referred to you. What, for example, is your stance on the Apocrypha? Canon or add-on? They strike me as different, somehow, but then, so does Revelations.
Juggernaut