Network World compiles a shopping list of technology that costs nothing.
It’s like the store doors just opened on Black Friday and you have your pick of free stuff.
First head down the technology aisle and find cloud storage options for zero dollars. With all the public cloud storage offerings on the market today, many vendors just want customers to sign up for their services. So, in return for a new account, many offer free cloud storage.
Using the following 12 public cloud storage options, you could theoretically get 112GB of free cloud storage. But not all services are the same. Some have their pros and cons related to how large a file can be uploaded, the pricing of additional cloud storage space, integrations with various operating systems and mobile apps, and of course security precautions the vendors take.
Then head over to the security products, and grab as many free products as you can fit in your cart. Security software developers have a long history of making their work available for free. Here’s a small taste, keeping in mind a few caveats, like uncertain support or limited capabilities relative to paid products. One of the biggest “free” segments in security is antivirus freeware as well as Microsoft Security Essentials.
Then make your way to the free Cisco Labs shelf to find out how to garner a Cisco certification for no cost. There’s no shortage of free Cisco labs on the Web. These sites are designed to assist network operators and Cisco certification students with common problems or challenges that crop up in configuring Cisco networks. In some instances, they may serve as teasers to get students to pay for more elaborate and comprehensive testing services.
Then there are the free Microsoft tools. Yep, you read that right, free Microsoft tools. In addition to its commercial operating systems and applications, Microsoft offers up a host of free tools that make it easier, cheaper, safer and faster to accomplish essential tasks from removing malware to converting virtual machines to deploying software.
And lastly check out the best free smartphones available with a new contract. To see all these products, you must download the PDF and become a Network World insider (free registration is requried).
