Linux does not use file extensions on binary files. Most applications on Linux can be installed one of three ways.

1. Through a package manager, such as Synaptic (GNOME) and Adept (KDE).
2. Through source that you can compile and build yourself.
3. Pre-built binaries, especially for your distro.

I always find myself having to go to number 2, because the applications I use never have pre-built, and aren't in the repositories.

As for me, If I want to run Windows aps under linux platform. I tend to install wine to install windows aps such as Internet Explorer and mIRC.

kind regards,

bps

IE sucks, don't use it. firefox is so much better. there are hundreds of IRC clients for linux.