This thread already covers a lot of topics, so please start a new thread in Virtual Machines and Emulators for advice about Wine and running Windows programs. Thanks :)
Two other tips:
The vast majority of software you will need, has already been packaged by Mandriva or a third-party as RPMs. You already know how to use these, so you know how to install software. :) There is no need to learn in advance how to install all other software - it would be impractical anyway - just use the instructions that are provided with the stuff you're interested in... If there isn't a Mandriva package for you to use, this may be for licensing reasons or it may be that the software is buggy or not maintained.
There's a lot of choice in Linux, but if you expect that there'll always be an application that works like the Windows equivalent, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed...