I don't really want to get into the semantics, but some freeware definitely is useful and many do have features that you may not realize at first glance. One example of a freeware that does more than I expected at first is Total Commander. In addition to a file browser it is also a registry editor and ftp client.
The good news though is that the 3.5 kitchen is built as a Baseline ROM there are no frills in there. It has an updated tutorial for building a rom, but now there is even a post with the roms compiled as an exe in this thread:
http://www.ppcgeeks.com/custom-rom-i...you-t2847.html
If you want a no frills rom with an easy setup that is the way to go. That is, if you want the latest AKU as well.