Free linux Is there any?

Ok I've seen a lot of microsoft bashing here.
I want to try linux again (I did 4 years ago). Now I notice that the so called FREE OS is not free anymore at least the major releases, for the non-linux expert. Red hat, Mandrake etc.
I thought this was what the linux people was screaming about a so called Free OS. Looks to me the they are turning into a profit making OS like Microsoft, except more expensive.
Are there any good linux releases that are easy to install etc. That are still free.

get a debian!

Went to their site could'nt decide what disks I needed to dl., I was also told it was hard to install

You can still get Mandrake and Red Hat of ftp sites and what not you just dont get the mannual and stuff

http://distro.ibiblio.org/pub/linux/distributions/gentoo/releases/x86/1.4/livecd/
...this is a link for gentoo, its one of the better linux distro's...and it is completely freeware, just choose the type of processor you got, and download away, burn and follow instructions......if you need to still run windows apps, i would recommend wine.....its a windows emulator for linux...hope this helps some

A search on google for gentoo shows it is hard to install. Also hard to install applications. Is this true.
Where can I get Mandrake or red hat without documentation.
Thanks All

suse is a good install for someone who hasnt run in a while.

gentoo is the best linux distros around but it´s _not_ easy to install if you are first timer or don´t know linux so much. mandrake/suse/fedora(former red hat) is easier to install and use if you are a newbie.

Ur choice must be SuSe or Mandrake Linux. Both r very eas to install(if u follow the instructions).
If u wanna learn Linux all u have to do is read, cuz without reading the man files u will hardly become average linux user.