What Does It Cost?

The short answer is anywhere from $00.00 to hundreds of dollars. Linux is free as in 'free beer' and as in 'freedom'. The 'free beer' part deals with the monetary cost of Linx. You can download it for as little as the cost of an Internet connection. Someone can GIVE you a copy of Linux, legally. The 'freedom' part means you are legally alloweded to possess the source code, the actual programming code of Linux. You can inspect this code, line by line, even make changes to suit yourself. These free aspects of Linux, and other similarly licensed software, are at the heart of what Linux is about. The Linux kernel and most every other program that is part of a distribution are released under the GPL, or General Public License, also called a 'copyleft license'. ( Think about it. ) This license makes provisions for the distribution and modification of free software like Linux. Anyone may modify and/or distribute GPL software, as long as all subsequent modifications are released under this same GPL. The GPL allows money to be made from GPL'd software, while also ensuring that everyone can distribute and continue to have access to this same software without restrictions. GPL software is copyrighted to the author or authors, and is not public domain software or shareware.