The Free Lunch Problem

Robert Heinlein popularized the now-ubiquitous phrase TANSTAAFL ("there ain't no such thing as a free lunch") in his novel The Moon is a Harsh Mistress.  The adage holds today.

Free video services, free email, free social networking tools?  No, they're not.  Look a little closer.

Alan Patrick nails it:

"If you can't see the free lunch on the web, then it's you."

You're paying for it, one way or another, usually with your privacy.