If I get Linux will my Vista programs still work?
 

sorry if that is a stupid question

It's not stupid, just incomplete. Are you asking if they will still work in Vista or if they will work in Linux?

I think what you meant to ask was: "Will Vista still work if I get Linux?". The answer is yes, if you set it up correctly as a dual boot system.

As for your programs, to put it shortly, windows programs cannot run natively in Linux, or other non Windows environments. There are programs that will emulate your vista programs like wine, cedega for games, but with limited to almost no success depending on the program.

thanks for helping