I cant get the linux version to install at all no matter what i type it wont run.

First, you will have to make the download executable, by typing:

chmod +x boinc_3.20_i686-pc-linux-gnu.gz

After that, extract it by typing:

gunzip boinc_3.20_i686-pc-linux-gnu.gz

And finally execute it by typing:

./boinc_3.20_i686-pc-linux-gnu

It will then ask for the url and id number you received by email.

I'm finding linux to be funny..

Myself, I ran knoppix, and clicked on the .gz file. it allowed me to extract the program in Konqueror.
I guess that Konqueror uses Ark to unzip stuff.

I renamed mine 'boinc' and just type boinc from the command line, with no ./ in front of it.

Usually, it works for me. Did it on a couple machines. Had one occasion where I saw the 'not an executable'
message.