One last remark, and just thrown in a general direction:

I love Open Source and its developers. Heck, I wish all software was Open Source. OTOH, I don't really care that much for freeware (as in: no money down), and I still don't see why the "price==zero" checkpoint should be a point of evaluation other than: "Whoohoo! I can drink twenty more pints before turning on the freeware satnav!"

And if this thread means that I'm not allowed to shout "*****!" at a developer, just because he doesn't charge for her/his cr*p, then you'll be in for a treat (actually, no: I never shout that at developers. I often think it though...).

In fact, this subthread was never about the right to criticize freeware developers, it was about the right to be a jerk. And since I defended the OP's right to be a jerk, I've obviously become tainted goods. Well, so be it (Hades, it's not like I'm not used to that!); at least I know I've done my libertarian duty of defending the expression of opinions I despise...