using ubuntu- help!

You'll want to ask in the Linux forum, for these questions do not pertain to Windows XP. I also recommend clicking here to get started with reading various tutorials on the subject. To answer your one question, though, they must be Linux programs, not Windows or Mac, and compatible with Ubuntu. Like I said, the tutorial should get you started.

John

Ubuntu, being a Linux distribution, is a completely different operating system from Windows. Before installing it, you should have done a little reading into exactly what you'd be getting into.

Rather than explain all of this, go read up on Linux in general. You should come across the answer to all of your questions, and the questions that are bound to come up if I try and answer your current set of questions. You need to know what it is you're getting into with Linux, and whether or not it's something you still want to do.