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Always Free Autonomous Oracle Database: Let's get going!

On September 16, Larry Ellison announced a new Always Free tier for Oracle Cloud, which (for me) most importantly includes an Always Free Autonomous Oracle Database.

For nothing but the "cost" of providing your credit card information (which is only used for identification purposes and is henceforth ignored until you decide to upgrade to a paid service), everyone in the world now can use the most powerful, most advanced database in the world FOR FREE.

Of course, there are limits. But oh my what generous limits they are!

 Get lots more details here.

And it's not just the amazing Autonomous Database (in both transaction processing and data warehouse flavors).

You get Oracle Application Express (APEX) so you can build websites writing very little code, and taking full advantage of your SQL and PL/SQL skills.

You get SQL Developer to write what code you need and manage your database.

You get Oracle Rest Data Services to build REST endpoints against your database.

And if you happen to write in Python or Javascript (Node.js) or Java or....the drivers are also there for you. Wow!

Now, I must confess, I've never had trouble getting access too a free Oracle Database. I've been working for Oracle or Oracle partners since 1987. But running my own little database on my laptop for my own experiments is so different from having access to a self-managed database on the Internet that I can use to build my own websites.

Oh my - the ideas I have bubbling around in my head!

As some of you may know, I have gotten very concerned about climate change and human-caused extinctions. That's why I founded fabe - for all a beautiful earth - with Vincent Morneau last year. That's why we are building the fabe app to make it easy to reduce consumption and rescue species.

But I am also - more locally - somewhat obsessed with rescuing native trees and other living things from the human-driven scourge of invasive species. So I am starting up a Carrboro Tree Rescuers group here in town.
And now I can also easily build a website for this initiative.

And then even more personal, family-oriented websites to help us all stay connected.

And...and...

Well, what are you waiting for? Visit https://www.oracle.com/cloud/free/ and sign up now.
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