Is Linux a free OP or not?

There's lots of free downloads of Linux such as Slackware and Ubuntu.

Linux is a free os that can be downloaded for free. However, you cannot download it under the Windows Vista platform. You have to have a Linux os already installed on your pc in order to properly download other Linux os. Various Linux os CDs are sold online for around $2 a piece. Shipping is often free if you order like 10 CDs. This is probably the easiest way to do it. I have Windows installed on one hard-drive and Linux on the other hard-drive. Many Linux os have a partition utility that will allow you to partition your hard-drive to accommodate numerous Linux os.

Linux is an open source (FREE) operating platform and comes in many guises. It can match windows in every area and in almost every case is faster than windows.
There is the option to Dual Boot it alongside Windows Vista. You can install Ubuntu 8.04.1 using Wubi installer within Windows Vista.
You keep Windows as it is, Wubi http://wubi-installer.org/ only adds an extra option to boot into Ubuntu. Wubi does not require you to modify the partitions of your PC, or to use a different bootloader, and does not install special drivers.
Wubi keeps most of the files in one folder, and if you do not like it, you can simply uninstall it as any other application.


LUg.

Some very good distros that free download are Ubuntu, Fedora, PCLinux, Knoppix, Freespire, OpenSUSE, etc
I tried them all and like all those above.
Make sure you first search for information how to install dual boot any of those with Vista because you don't want to mess up boot manager of Vista.
Read from the following page and download the one you like:

Most Linux distributions are free, some charge a bit for support or the product itself. You could easily get something good for beginners like Ubuntu, which is quite easy to use and install. Follow the instructions on their website and you are off and running. Fedora is a great distribution, as it is linked to Red Hat Linux, and is corporately backed and supported. There are TONS of distributions out there, but one of those two should be quite good for a beginner for sure (or even a veteran).

Linux is as free as free can be. Open-source in other words.

I highly recommend you use Ubuntu as your linux OS. It is the most developed linux OS yet. It can also run windows apps natively with the app called 'wine.'

Ubuntu can be downloaded from www.ubuntu.com and the CD has a built in feature for double booting in Vista that is extremely easy, I am using it now.
Easy easy. Please try out Ubuntu.

andLinux an ubuntu variant located at below link is free and does not not require a dual boot setup.

First of all Linux is not a Operating System, Its a Kernel developed by Linus Torvald. There are many operating systems based on this kernel and we call them different distributions for Linux or simply Distro(s). There are a gazillion distros available absolutely free and Open Source. Just check for the distro that suits you most : http://distrowatch.com/

I would recommend Debian based distros for newbies... you can go for Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron) its quite easy and powerful, plus very very popular, thus a wide community support

All linux distributions are open source and free.

Download the one you like best from the link below. Ubuntu is one of the most popular.

attempt searching for linux distribution names like mandrake debian s.united statese purple hat those style of web sites have a unfastened version of linux you will get carry of, usually its the size of a few cds or a dvd, so it takes time to get carry of or attempt looking in shops for any magazine with linux interior the identify, a lot of those magazines provide you at leat one version of linux