How can one say Linux is $-free . . . ?

[Martin Marcher]

Hello,

Am 21.12.2006 um 11:16 schrieb Rutger van Haasteren:

> Well, that's the idea of GPLd software. People have been coding all  
> day (for
> many days). And they are giving it away for free. The reason this  
> works so
> well is that there are many people doing this and they like it.  
> Some do make
> money through donations, but mainly the community does this for  
> free. Many
> developers understand this and therefore give back to the community by
> providing patches when they find bugs. I think this is a great  
> system, and
> it does work. Just go to www.gnu.org and read about it. It is a great
> phylosophy...

well disagree on that. I think that the free isn't about giving it  
away for free but rather to give your user/costumers/whatever the  
freedom to modify the software you provide.

== quote ==
The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).
The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your  
needs (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor  
(freedom 2).
The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements to  
the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3). Access  
to the source code is a precondition for this.
== /quote ==

Could you tell me where there is the freedom to get software without  
money? Note that freedom 2 doesn't say it just says _iff_ you already  
have a copy you can redistribute it, which implies that you have paid  
(if the author wishes) for the software.

\martin

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