Is OPENRA_DISPLAY_SCALE a cheat?

[avalach21]

I've noticed that in Linux version I can set this variable to whatever value that I want in order to get what ever zoom level that I want. This allows me to play the entire game zoomed out, reducing the need for a radar or for something similar. Doesn't this give me an unfair advantage? If you want everybody to be able to use this, why not provide people with a GUI option for it?

Sorry for the dumb question, but where do you find the variable? Also does this work only in Linux or does anyone know if this works in Windows?