I'd better reply quickly, before Helen sees me :-)

Linux is "free" as in free speech, and as in "open source". Free as in
people are free to examine the source - it is not proprietary. It is NOT
free as in "we are giving it away for nothing". (Which is what free beer
would be)

All the distributions charge - there may be a distribution which is free as
in you don't have to pay for it. What they charge for is putting the
package - the Linux kernel together with tools and accessories - together
in one package - and making it available for you.

I am quite happy to discuss beer anytime - whether Free as in Linux or Free
as in I don't have to pay for it ... :-D

Regards

Tim