Mandrake 10.2 Evolution 2.3.1
 

i downloaded evolution 2.3.1 and when i try to install it, it gives me an error
"you need bison to build evolution" any ideas?

Well then install the bison package. Its in main so if you haven't setup your sources properly go to http://easyurpmi.zarb.org

However since this is a newbie forum I'll assume you just want to use Evolution, not compile it. In that case just install the package 'evolution' (in the software installation thingo in the Mandriva Control Centre) and you'll see it on your menu after a short delay. There's no need to go downloading source code from websites and try to install it if all you want to do is use the program.

older version
 

i want to download an older version of evolution. the new evolution with the Exchange connector sucks. the older one seem more real time. the older one let me put my username and password for my exchange server.. the new one go's through OWA and that is slow and sucks

The evolution that comes with Mandriva 2005LE is 2.0.4. This is obviously older than 2.3.1 so why can't you just use that?

older
 

because i used fedora and the Evolution exchange client works better that the one that comes with mandriva.. when i put in my exchange settings i can put my exchange server settings with my domain user and password on a local network. the newer version uses OWA to connect to the exchange server. and its not that real time.

So the older Evolution doesn't use OWA? Again why not just use the older version that comes with Mandrake?