Francois wrote to Lawrence at 14:39 07 Jun:

 RJT>> I've not gotten the impression that there are really that much in
 RJT>> the way of differences between them.

 LG> Very few of the Linux distributions available today are entirely
 LG> "without cost" to the end user.

 FT> I'd say you've been misinformed.

Shall we take a census of Linux distributions, with respect to which ones
are "freely available" via Internet download, and which ones
require "purchase" of a media kit either via direct fulfillment
or retail acquisition?


 LG> Many of them are only available through retail or direct sale
 LG> channels.

 FT> no. As per the distribution licence, there has to be a version
 FT> available, most make it available by download.

No.. actually nothing in the GPL says the product has to be "freely
available". What it says is that the SOURCE CODE has to be made
available with the product WHEN distributed. Furthermore, nothing in the
GPL prevents a distributor from charging a fee for the privilege of
downloading the full distribution.

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