Using tightVNC to run programs or applications
 

I know this is more about VNC than Linux, but i figured you guys would be more helpful than others. i have a windows machine, and if i connect to it from a linux box using VNC and windows is running tightVNC or opposite, how can i run programs or applications? usually i just try to start something up remotely, say word, and the VNC closes. is this a setting that i am missing? Can i run A dvd player or game from my windows or linux machine remotely?

If you're running TightVNC on the Windows box then just use a program such as krdc (in the kdenetwork-krfb package on most distros) to connect to it. Now you can run desktop apps like word or whatever by just clicking start on the Windows desktop in the VNC window that comes up on your Linux desktop.

No, for the following reasons:
VNC doesn't do remote sound
VNC doesn't handle video Windows or full-screen video or 3D modes at all
VNC wasn't designed to handle fast-moving fast-changing images like on games - even over a LAN it doesn't really work that well.