I think you're confusing free software with 'cost-free' software. It's unfortunate that this is the terminology in use. I'm talking specifically about libre so

I think you're confusing free software with 'cost-free' software. It's unfortunate that this is the terminology in use. I'm talking specifically about libre software. I have no qualms with paying an expert for a service - in fact that's the basis of my career. I'm happy with SaaS services that provide a paid option which means you don't have to muck about with self hosting, backups, and all of that jazz. Just works(tm). I think that's a great business model. The issue I take is with proprietary software which limits the user in what they can do. Services which derive most of their profit from locking in the user (e.g. come and use our fancy cloud database, there's no way to run it locally, oops we just whacked up the price by 5x, suck it up) > This is something that differentiates idealists / hobbyists from actual professionals. Damn, my hobby is working out well then. ;)