Crafting your computing experience with Linux

RITlug is the RIT Linux Users Group. It was founded on the basis to promote the use and inspire people to use Linux and other free and open source software (FOSS). Our goal is to promote an environment that is based in personal freedom, not constrained by profit or the choices of others. In our current digital life, our operating systems are heavily controlled by a few companies. Companies like Apple and Microsoft lock down their systems, forcing users to use the software or hardware they develop and disregarding the user’s right to privacy. On the other hand, Linux is a free and open source operating system all the way down. You are not forced to use any software and are not treated like a product. Instead, you have the ability to control what you want to use and how you want to use it. For example, Microsoft has been forcing users to use their own "Edge" browser. On Linux, you can choose to use any browser you want, such as Firefox from Mozilla. The app stores on Windows and Apple devices restrict the kinds of software users are able to install. Linux systems, on the other hand, offer a variety of options to install software, ranging from easy-to-use GUI programs to command-line utilities that grant the user granular control. Finally, if you want a different way to interact with your desktop, MacOS and Windows do not provide you any options, as you are locked into the environment they provide. Linux systems have many different windows environments such as Gnome, KDE, or Hyprland, that let the user be in control. In Linux, you have the ability to choose your own system for yourself, in a way that brings back software freedom. Software freedom is taking control back from the companies and giving it back to you the user. At Imagine RIT, we plan to demo the multiple ways that you can use Linux, providing an insight on the freedom of choice that Linux can provide. We will have multiple systems running different setups based on a few different ways you may want to use linux. We will have a system running Linux Mint, providing a very user friendly and newbie environment for anyone who wants a simple way to switch. We will also have a Gentoo system and NixOS system showing off more complex ways that linux can be configured and built. Many of these systems will be shown running on cheap hardware, showing that you do not need an expensive computer to run Linux. In fact Linux has the ability to breathe new life into old computers that other modern operating systems cannot run on. Visitors will be able to try out these systems and get more familiar with using a device running Linux, with help from experienced users if they have questions or want to learn more.