Hans Forbrich wrote:
The 'free download' is exactly the same software (no time bombs, no
limits, no nag screens) as 'the official product'. Oracle does not
charge for the baseline software ... they charge for patches and for the
right to use the software in production.
Slight clarification:
Virtually all of Oracle's technology software is available at no charge from
the download location on
http://otn.oracle.com.
You can avoid the download by getting a 'CD Pack' either from
http://oraclestore.oracle.com or ordering the Tech Track CDs from the same
place you download the s/w. You pay for the media and S&H.
Regardless of how you get the software, there is a license which covers the
right to use the software. It's up to you to read, agree and conform to
the license. In general, the right to use in production costs money. In
general, there is no charge for the "developer's license" associated with
the download.
Once you have paid for the right to use the software, you can pay an
additional annual fee to access support and the Metalink support knowledge
base.
HTH
/Hans
