i can't install any software with ubunto 8.10

You can not install .exe's with Ubuntu. Windows files (I.E. .exe's are not compatible) with Linux/Ubuntu.

The main file extension you will see are ".deb".

You can use Synaptic package manager to find a lot of the packages you will need by going to:

System > Administration > Synaptic Package Manager
Enter your user password

And search for packages.

Please be aware computer programs are different in Ubuntu and different conventions are used.

Please see this guide as it will help you adapt to the different environment:

Ubuntu Intrepid Guide:
http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Intrepid

Windows to Ubuntu Transition Guide:
http://www.pcmech.com/article/windows-to-ubuntu-transition-guide/

Also, if you'd still like to run certain .exe's under Ubuntu (Windows Programs) you can! Using a program called "Wine" which you can get using Synaptic. Please see these guides on Wine's usage:

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/wine
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Wine

I hope this helps.

As far as "anti virus" programs go in Linux, since these are what you are were downloaded, they are of a different nature.

I advise you to read this:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=136064
&
http://vntutor.blogspot.com/2008/02/do-we-need-anti-virus-for-ubuntu.html
&
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/security (highly recommended***)
&
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntucat/does-ubuntu-need-antivirus/ (also highly recommended***)

Security is much better in Ubuntu / Linux. I say this because Windows is a more frequent "target" of attacks. However, the above guides will "guide" you well. You still need to keep you guard up no matter the operating system you're on.

You still need to be cautious with passwords, etc. And these guides also tell you about the conventions and the programs you can install -- even using Synaptic! Some programs, such as firewalls, malware protectors (most likely to sniff out things in e-mails, etc.) will indeed discover threats to your system and eliminate them. Use them. :-)

Let me know if you have any questions. I'd be glad to help.

Good luck.

Quite simply you are trying to install Windows programs in Linux.

Windows is NOT Linux and Linux is not Windows.

You do NOT need an antivirus program in Linux. Zonealarm is a Windows Firewall and you should be looking for a Linux firewall instead.

Look at 1) "Installing Software in Ubuntu" on http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/installingsoftware and 2) "How to install ANYTHING in Ubuntu!" on http://amitech.50webs.com/installing/index.php.html

Your FIRST action should be to automagically download and install using the PACKAGE MANAGER.

You can run SOME Windows programs on Linux but NOT ALL. Have a look at http://frankscorner.org/

Dear arochester

thank you so much for explaining to me how ubunto works.i thought like windows.

This email helped me so much.i have to read and follow a lot of links,

again thank you so much,for you and for everyone how helped me .

My kindest regards
habib