Need Linux Help

I am soon to purchase a fairly nice dedicated server that runs on Linux. I have never used Linux and really know nothing about it. Does it run like windows? is there a desktop? Or is it more like running dos or norton commander? Are there good encoding tools for linux? What about anyother app that may be helpful in the p2p world? My goal is to have everything I need installed to my server to log on and do what ever I may need from any computer. From encoding to checking for virus. I need any legit useful programs for Linux. Please someone help me.