I don't know what Linux is but I think you could still use vizzed on it, not entirely sure though. You cannot use the RGR plugin on Linux though because the plugin is only compatible with Windows.

Totts : I haven't experience a Linux before so it's hard telling on how it function, pretty much I have experienced a Windows and a Mac.
For A Linux, I think you can get onto Vizzed, but just the forum part and not the RGR, since the emulator is only for Windows.

Nope I don't use Linux therefore I can't use Vizzed with it, simply because I don't have it. I use Windows. I'm sure you could still use Vizzed on Linux though, I don't really see a problem with it. 

I have used it before and it would let me on Vizzed Board but I could not play any games because you can't get the RGR plugin.

I have never used Linux before, but I am sure that you can enjoy vizzed on it though, It just won't be game compatible because vizzed works with windows which is what I use. I am sure that you could use it but you just won't be able to play games on it though. Otherwise it would work. I have never used it though, so I am not 100% positive because I use windows instead because it works with vizzed games and the rgr plugin.

I have used Linux pretty regularly in the past, and it's really great. To answer your questions specifically, no, it won't make your computer faster, but Linux systems tend to (generally) use fewer system resources, freeing up compute cycles for other tasks--thus making your system feel faster. Can you use Vizzed with it? Well, yes and no. As the others have said, the board will still work perfectly fine, but the RGR plugin will not. However, for the games that allow you to use the Java emulator, you can play those on Linux, since no external applications are required.

And lastly, yes, there are tonnes of beginners guides! The only problem is that there are actually too many, it can be hard to decide where to start. I suggest just downloading Ubuntu and following the installation guide. After that, if you come up against a problem, just search google for it. That's pretty much how I learned to use Linux almost seven years ago.

Totts : If you want to check out linux and if you have a 4gb or 8 gb or a DVD burner you can run a live distribution of what ever flavor of linux you want Ubuntu, RedHat, Arch, KDE, Debian and various others. YOu can get to the forums but you can't use rgr plugin on linux unless you run it through a program called WINE which is a windows virtulization software. pm me if you need help if you decide to check it, and there are guides all over the Internet you just have to know where to look