Building an Application Server

We currently have a P2P network with 6 pc’s (2 XPpro,2XPhe,2W98)One pc is setup as a file and print server. We have a number of graphics programs that we use occasionally, not enough to warrent a copy for each machine. We’ve been using Remote Access in XP to share the applications from one machine. Works, but not great. Is there a way to do application sharing or build an application server w/out going the entire route to a WS2003 system? I’m the ‘network administrator’ by default and the thought of the time away from client work to administer 2003 Server makes my head spin. Don’t need email, web hosting, and since we’re all close by,collaboration is in real time.