program installs
 

i just installed mandrake 8.1. i now need to install programs that i have previously purchased for windows.(i.e. macromedia suite, adobe suite, and some video games) I click on the outo instll but i guess it doesnt work the same in linux. So how do you install programs that are meant for windows on your sytem?

Typically, You dont. Period. The whole point of it being "Linux" is that it is not windows and does not use windows software at all.
However, there are programs which may or may not be able to interpit and run your software...
www.winehq.org The free no frills version
www.codeweavers.com The Pay for Office and Plugins Version
www.transgaming.com The pay for 3d games version.