i just started using linux 48 hours ago so i know little to nothing about it

i go to install viarcad and i cant because it is a rpm so i use alien and it works great. i then go to do the same with cinelerra and i first cant find the program and then once i find the exe file and click on it a box apears for less then a fraction of a second and then is gone. the same thing with xmovie. do i need to install something first or install it diffrently or will it not work all together? thank for any help you can give