There are several good* linux distros out there:
Redhat/Fedora
Suse
Mandrake
knoppix
I have the most experience with Redhat/Fedora and every install I have done has given me the option of one, several or all language support. I always choose "all." I have never had a problem with displaying oriental characters as I have had with Windows.
There is a truckload of awesome software out there, free for the download. The latest I have played with is tellico, a ctalog tool that will take your book's ISBN, search an online database, and populate the book data fields for you.
* "good" defined as relatively easy to install & use.