Yup nothing is free...not even the internet....guys you are paying for the net connection.. so when you even download a FREE software you are actually paying for it. only that you dont notice it.

A couple issues I have with the Linux Distros is Packages and Drivers.

Also in my experience the distros seem to run slower than Windows, the desktops (KDE, GNOME) do not respond as fast, and programs take several times longer to start than in Windows.  I'am confused about this last point, if the source is open couldnt the distros be optimized to run this software?

One of the original issues I had was Fonts, the Internet looks terrible lol.  Thankfully one can download the MS fonts freely and easily fix that.

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Packages and drivers - this one comes from unix heritage. Hopefully it never imitates windows-style, because installing being too easy makes for trouble (considering that *nix is mostly used on servers).

As for "slower than Windows" - in fact its much faster. But if you run too many services at startup and then use it in a Graphical mode, that's when its slow. In its original usage as servers, its fine - but for home users to use it, it would need a lot more graphical candy - which would be sad.

Regarding "optimized distros", that's a good idea. They never do it though, because they want it to be usable on as many hardware platforms as possible so they leave it generic.

About "fonts", you're right - the newer versions have good-looking fonts already.

Just a note about Fedora core 3. It comes with built in firewall and SeLinux(security enhanced) also comes with almost every software application you can possibly need for free. If you set up a windows machine with all the software Fedora offers you would have a large investment. I run Xp pro,Office Xp pro(I have over $1000.00 invested just in software) and a few other applications as well.I also dual boot with Fedora core 3 and have yet to purchase any software for it(have downloaded some apps for free) and can do 100% the same things I can do with windows Xp. I found the installation and configuration easy and there is a ton of support out there for Linux distro's(far more than for windows) and it does not cost 1 cent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have never had a crash with Fedora compared to multiple crashes with Xp(untill I spent hours re-configuring it and doing multiple registry hacks to make it stable). Both systems are very stable now and very similar in operational speed but I have Fedora for free! I won't even consider Longhorn for the simple reason I'm not going to continue paying Microsoft to upgrade anymore when I can get it for free through Linux. If I do pay again I will give my money to Apple instead whose systems are way better and more secure than windows will ever be. Don't get me wrong I like Windows Xp but microsoft is driving me away from them with there business practices and forcing perpetual upgrades on us. If they made a 100% stable system they wouldn't need to keep creating complete new operating systems they would just have to make minor enhancements and upgrades. But that would effect Mr. Gates wallet now would'nt it?

http://linuxiso.org

site with probably all the free linux distros out there

Didn't mean for this to become a LINUX VS. WINDOWS battle... I just wanted to point out that it's not all free.

I will stick with Windows which I believe to be the best for me.

And I will stick with linux which I believe is best for me.

It has always been free - as in "freedom".

If you mean "free of cost" as in "free beer", then you are missing the point of open-source. For an explanation, please see my post above.

So yes, linux is all free.