I don't understand your point. You still need a fucking computer to run Linux. They don't grow on fucking trees, although perhaps in Manchester they get 'liberated' for nothing.
The point is: Linux is (largely) free, but you need a computer to run it (see above); Windows 10 will be free, although you need a computer to run it; OS X is also free, although you need a computer to run it. You may have to buy the computer first (or the parts and self-build in some cases); the PC/parts may cost money.
Xen was saying Linux is free, as in you can go and download it for free right now. No money has to change hands to get Linux. Free.
You said, so is OS X. But it isn't, you either need to buy a Mac to get it included or as Smithy said, you might be able to /buy/ it from an Apple store. I don't see how you can legally aquire OS X without spending any money. Therefore, not free.
The cost of "free" os x development is factored into the premium-priced hardware. This is why Apple is dead set against people trying to run it on non-apple hardware. Foolishly IMO.
----
"Apple Pay accepted at up to 100,000 Coca-Cola machines"
I am currently running OS X Mavericks. I can get the upgrade to Yosemite from the App Store. I do not have to pay money for it. My hardware is old (yj).
I could still be using the original OS X. That wouldn't be free. But the (recent) upgrades have been.
You cannot run Linux on thin air. You have to buy/build a computer. Not free. It might be cheaper than a Mac, but that's the price you pay for a free OS.
And the thread started as Windows-is-now-free. If you haven't got a PC, you will still need to buy one to run Win10. But if you already have a PC you can upgrade to Win10 for free. Bit that's already the case for OS X.
Well that's disappointing. Making Win10 free for everyone (including pirates) was one of the smartest things MS have done for a long time. This pretty much negates that entirely.