How are hundreds of Linux distros maintained if anyone could download them for free?

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I have started using Linux recently and have been enjoying the open-source nature of it. I was browsing a website called [distrowatch.com](http://distrowatch.com) that has hundreds of Linux distros. All of them are free to use (ubuntu, debian, Kali, Quebes, Tails, etc.) How are they maintained if it doesn’t cost anything to download and install them?

Thank you.

In: Technology

13 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Most of the utility of Linux is from programmers working for companies that sponsor the open software movement and have found a way to benefit from the agreement. 

Some work for open software non-profits (Linux foundation, Mozilla foundation) others work for for-profit companies like Google and Apple (see for example WebKit). Some big contributors volunteer a part of their time. Many projects start in academia in research labs and grow into other types of organizations (eg Google)

But basically Linux based computing has lots of benefits across all sectors so it’s possible to benefit from improving the code base at the same time as you are employed. 

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