Free software is not only software. It is a new business model where many volunteers develop software for free and make this available. Developed by people for people, without any form of payment, compensations. In an economic world where monopolies are common  this free-source movement is a relief. And this free software is better, more stable and more safe than closed-source software such as Microsoft and Mac. Generally your computer comes pre-installed with commercial software . Or we remove this software, or we install free software such as the Ubuntu operating system in dual-boot. Formats are no problem: linux is able to work  with for example .doc or .docx (m Office).
The linux operating system has everything on board for these tasks:
- openoffice 3.0 Office suite
- firefox for webbrowser
- Gimp for photoshopping
- Scribus for desktop publishing
- Several cad programs