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

[Adam Cripps]

On 10/26/06, YAGNESH N DESAI <ynd at hzw.ltindia.com> wrote:
>
>
> 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 compile
> many 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

Your cost-analysis only looks at the short term cost of time. It would
be interesting to see how linux compares to windows/other OS over the
long term in maintenance and other outlays.

Adam