[iteygib]

I feel it's essentially what a library is. There is a public or private cost behind it (like taxes to pay for it), but for all intents and purposes, the information inside of it is 'free' from the standpoint of the sheer amount of use and good it can provide for that cost. It is not technically free, but as close as it can be, and the information it provides has undoubtedly paid it self back a countless amount of times to the public (getting inspired, research to create things, relaxation, etc. etc.).