No! In fact, much of the Free and Open-Source Software available can run on Windows or Mac! We’d love to showcase some of the benefits of Linux, but just coming with a sense of curiosity is enough!

Nope. The Rockwood Linux Group is just a collection of like-minded individuals who want to discuss, celebrate, and educate on the benefits of Linux and Free and Open-Source Software.

Nope! In fact, you don’t have to have a computer at all! If you want to see Linux in person, we try to have at least one computer available for folks to see in action.

Congratulations! In addition to Linux, we also have discussions on a myriad of topics like privacy and security, but also explore fun ways to customize your Linux experience so that it matches your personality and needs!

Linux is an operating system, like Windows or macOS, but it’s built by a global community instead of one corporation. It’s open source, meaning anyone can inspect or improve the code.

Yes. You don’t pay for licenses or subscriptions. Most versions (“distributions”) are 100% free to download, install, and use.

Totally. Linux is licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL), which explicitly allows anyone to use, share, and modify it.

Almost certainly. Linux is great at breathing new life into older hardware. Lightweight versions like Linux Mint or Xubuntu can run smoothly on systems that struggle with Windows 10 or 11.

Nope. Most modern Linux versions are as easy to use as Windows. Point, click, and done. Coding is optional.

Microsoft doesn’t make native Linux versions, but you can open and edit Word and Excel files using LibreOffice or OnlyOffice which are both free. You can also use Office.com in your browser.

Most common apps (web browsers, media players, email, chat tools) have Linux versions or alternatives. Spotify, Discord, and Steam all run on Linux.

You can boot Linux from a USB drive (“Live Mode”) without changing anything on your system. When you’re ready, the installer can walk you through setting it up alongside Windows.

Updates are handled through your software center or package manager. No reboots every week, and no “please wait, installing 200 updates” surprises.

You can always reinstall Linux in under 20 minutes. It’s nearly impossible to “brick” a computer by experimenting. Linux is built to be repaired, not replaced.

In most cases, yes. Linux supports thousands of devices out of the box. Some very new or very specialized hardware may need an extra driver, but the system usually installs it automatically.

Linux’s design limits what software can do without your permission, and open-source code means security flaws are found and fixed quickly. There’s also less malware targeting Linux users.

No hidden telemetry, no “opt-out” tracking. Linux distributions generally respect your privacy. You stay in control of what gets shared.

Yes! Steam’s Proton and tools like Lutris make thousands of Windows games playable on Linux. The performance is often just as good or better.

It’s just a flavor of Linux. All share the same core, but each offers different looks, apps, and philosophies. Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Fedora are beginner-friendly.

Unlike commercial OSs, Linux help comes from its community. You can get fast, friendly advice on forums, Reddit, or at a local Linux User Group like the Rockwood Linux Group!