You are completely enchained. Your programmes are dependent on the wish of others.

You compile your programmes on graphical libraries, right?
If the library is no longer available, let's take X11 lib dev for instance, your programme will die.
Sorry, but then, you take 1-2 years to re-learn a new graphical library, and you are a waste during 1-2 years, because your important core programme does not work.

Linux is a risky platform for business. Windows, even worst. There is nothing reliable, maybe just TERMCAP/SIGNAL/... on GCC or ASM, and that's it.

Actually, I'm completely free, because I use open source. Regardless of your personal tin hat beliefs, open source is freedom, regardless of whether you compile from source or use a full distro.

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Probably... since it is open source. It may increase the chance that you are fully free.
It may be defined hopefully: Opensource = Freedom.


[EDIT] Really free?
Let's make an example if you'd like. Can you run compile and run SIAG on your distro?

That definition of "freedom" seems to me to be far too abstract to be digital.

"What, exactly, is it that you wish to be 'free' of?"

At the end of the day, these wonderful machines are ... "machines." As in: "tools for the job." Equipment to earn paychecks with. Sources of which we vainly seek to minimize.

"The boots hit the sidewalk," and that is the (only ...) point-of-contact that is truly interesting! After all, our employers and our clients really don't understand anything that we do. They are merely interested that we do it.

Linus does the most important job for Linux, since he take care about the kernel. He does the most important job concerning hardware.

Softwares for the economy/industry: Our society has maybe to pay programmers, because other programmers will change their libraries in some years. They are there to maintain something that they cannot maintain - maybe.