HOW DOES open source community make profits ?

I am very curious about how does open source community(software vendor,developer....)get profits from linux,UNIX...???I know that nobody does things for nothing !!they tend to make money to support itself ?if they don't make any profits they will one day close the business and broke ???the expenses they spent must have ROI or support .

most of linux distro and software are free although the numbers of company that offer free software has been decreased dramatically,and many software offers has been discontinue for while ....

does opeen source community really able to survive for future ?really work ?

i know that microsoft products are expensive and licence update is stricted.and also apple products.that's why they can survive ??

I am worry about the future of linux support !!!

many linux distro ask for money about 10 -100 dollars in order to download the iso files !!!
redhat
netscape
suse
.......etc

it's just my feeling about opensource ! i still love linux,unix !!!
if one day unix,linux would ask for 400$$$dollars for software..etc much same as microsoft,apple .then,it is possible that all linux user giveup linux and go somewhere else ?

free software makes people switch to linux .....

thanks .

Most linux developers have full time jobs. Also, those of us who use Linux full time support our favorite distros and developers through contributions and purchases of CDs and assorted products and encourage others to do likewise.

The commercial distros make the bulk of their profits through sales of business support.

Some distros make money by selling boxed sets, providing specialist services and support.

And another non-linux question by my-unix-dream ...

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