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

[YAGNESH N DESAI]

Friends;
 
I just shifted to Linux and have tried on laptop read a lot about the
meaning of Free. But just was wondering is it really $-free . . . ?
 
I have invested 40hrs and still counting on getting and installing Linux and 
trying to make it work. (Though it was fun but its not yet working to my full
satisfaction and I am at it). 
 
While above time does not includes my time participating in such discussions
and preparing pages on my experience.
 
Also after all this efforts I am not able to compilemany of the softwares in ubuntu I tried to compile Mplayer from its official site. . . 
Many of the downloads compilations are in .rpm package which means do I need
an RedHat based Linux too on my laptop?

 
I know I am putting a cat among the pigeons.
 
Replies awaited . . . 
 
Yagnesh

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