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Right now all Linux is free, it is the loaders, e.g. by Red Hat, etc that cost money. You can download a free copy for a CD from the WWW, try KNOPPIX for one to see if you like LINUX. It can be run via boot in your CD drive. http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html

IMHO SMART COMPUTING MAGAZINE http://www.smartcomputing.com/ had a great article on selecting a Linux system based on YOUR needs, not one flavor fits all (remember that there may be specific drivers, programs etc that LINUX has not yet developed and you may have to go geek big time, but all the basics are there). Third world countries cannot afford to pay MSFT for their OS and Software, thus India has 300,000 UNIX / LINUX programmers based on my reading. If something is missing, I am sure it will be out there in no time and ALL related programs are FREE.

The magazine is EXCELLENT and when you subscribe to one of their paper mags, you gain Internet access to all of their 5 mags, including past archives. They will also answer ANY question you have. After each acronym, the MAG spells out what that means and the magazine deals in basics. As always, we all go back to basics and when you start with LINUX you will need the basics; when MSFT issues it next OS (next Feb?) we will all be back to basics on a lot if things.

I do not have a financial interest in any of the items I mentioned, just a sincere hope I pr other can assist you.

All the Best and Happy Thanksgiving.