The problem with TANSTaaFL is that it uses a completely different definition of the word free than normal English. Normally the word free only references the price paid by the consumer, not the cost of production.<p>If I give you a lunch without asking for anything in return, and without  inconveniencing you, that&#x27;s a free lunch for you. Of course somebody paid for it, but that doesn&#x27;t stop me from giving it to you for free.<p>&gt;Which is the point in context to someone saying &quot;If only there really was universal expectation of free software...&quot;.<p>&quot;I get my software for free but be offered the option to donate&quot; is the model that&#x27;s giving us Dwarf Fortress. It&#x27;s free (as in beer) software in any useful sense of the word free.