Oracle Cloud offers a true 'always free' cloud VM with generous specs like 4 vCPU, 24 GB RAM, and 200GB storage.The registration process includes providing a payment method for identity verification, with resources staying within 'Always Free' limits.Setting up an instance involves selecting an operating system like Ubuntu and configuring the instance shape within the free tier limits.Networking setup includes configuring SSH access and storage allocation, ensuring smooth operation of the VM.Additional ports like 80 and 443 may need to be exposed by updating security rules and potentially configuring iptables.Using the free VM for development purposes allows accessing it from various devices and utilizing tools like Mosh for persistent terminal sessions.Oracle's free VM serves as a valuable platform for deployment tests, CLI experimentation, and lightweight app hosting.Additional resources include Oracle's 'always free' offerings, VCN configuration, and Mosh for mobile shell access.