Aaron Bertrand over at SqlBlog provided a list of some good SQL Server resources that are free. I really haven’t had a chance to evaluate the list fully, but I have copied it here for future reference. The full article can be found at: Useful, free resources for SQL Server

Free Upgrade Advisors / Best Practices Analyzers

These tools from Microsoft can be instrumental in cleaning up your systems and finding issues *before* the day of the upgrade.  I'm including the SQL Server 2005 versions, but if you're just planning your upgrade to 2005 now, I'd suggest re-thinking toward 2008 or 2008 R2.  The last service pack for 2005 is due out later this year, and the next major version of SQL Server is probably about a year after that.  Note that there is no SQL Server 2008 Best Practices Analyzer, at least that I could find.

SQL Server 2005 Upgrade Advisor

SQL Server 2005 Best Practices Analyzer

SQL Server 2008 Upgrade Advisor - download x64 - download x86

SQL Server 2008 R2 Upgrade Advisor - download x64 - download x86

SQL Server 2008 R2 Best Practices Analyzer - download x64 - download x86

(For some advice about the R2 BPA install, see this post from August)

Free Documentation

Books Online is the official go-to documentation for SQL Server, but you don't have to have a SQL Server license to use it.  You can choose to download the application (or install it as part of setup) and keep it up to date, or use the web-based version.

SQL Server 2005 Books Online - or download

SQL Server 2008 Books Online - or download

SQL Server 2008 R2 Books Online - or download

Free Feature Packs

Jason Howell has summed up the current set of feature packs (these are utilities provided by Microsoft to complement SQL Server tools and services):

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/jason_howell/archive/2010/10/25/list-of-sql-server-feature-packs.aspx

Free Management Studio Add-Ins

Several authors have developed tools that plug into Management Studio, though I wouldn't expect all of them to work flawlessly with SQL Server 2008 R2 - yet.

Mladen Prajdic's SSMS Tools Pack:
http://ssmstoolspack.com/

Sean Price's Snapshot add-in:
http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/seanprice/archive/2007/07/15/sql-management-studio-snapshot-add-in.aspx

Jonathan Kehayias' Extended Events Manager:
http://extendedeventmanager.codeplex.com/

RedGate SQL Search
http://www.red-gate.com/products/SQL_Search/

Daniel Gould's Internals Viewer:
http://internalsviewer.codeplex.com/

DevArt SQL Complete Express:
http://www.devart.com/dbforge/sql/sqlcomplete/download.html

Free Community Resources

Looking for other SQL Server people to help you - for free?  The SQL Server community is, as a whole, one of the best free resource you're likely to find in any industry.  I don't think I'm going to try and list out all of the SQL Server blogs here... there are just too many.  But I can point out places where you can get free help online or - believe it or not - in person:

Twitter hashtag : #sqlhelp
http://twitter.com/#search?q=%23sqlhelp

Also see this great twitter primer from @BrentO:
http://www.brentozar.com/archive/2008/08/twitter-101/

And more specifically, this summary of the #sqlhelp tag:
http://www.brentozar.com/archive/2009/12/i-need-sqlhelp/

SQL Server forums on MSDN:
http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en/category/sqlserver/

Stack overflow:
http://stackoverflow.com/

Ask SQLServerCentral:
http://ask.sqlservercentral.com/

ServerFault:
http://serverfault.com/

SQLServerPedia is like Wikipedia but for SQL Server:
http://sqlserverpedia.com/

Also look for a SQL Saturday coming to a city near you:
http://sqlsaturday.com/

Or a local user group.  See this editorial by Brad McGehee:
http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Editorial/67191/

Finally, PASS is free to join. Watch for free online training events and presentations via virtual chapters:
http://sqlpass.org/

Free Blog Assistance

This one is kind of sitting in its own category, but I didn't know where else it would fit.  This web form allows you to take T-SQL code and format it nicely - color coding and all - for various blog formats.  I have found it invaluable over the past few years in adding code samples to my posts:

http://extras.sqlservercentral.com/prettifier/prettifier.aspx

Free Sample Databases

You can download a wide variety of sample databases (mostly in the AdventureWorks flavor):
http://msftdbprodsamples.codeplex.com/

If you want to load Pubs and/or Northwind on a 2005+ server, you can, I guess:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=06616212-0356-46a0-8da2-eebc53a68034

Free Maintenance / Performance Scripts

Adam Machanic's Who Is Active? v.10.0:
http://sqlblog.com/files/folders/release/entry29675.aspx

Michelle Ufford's Index Defrag Script, v4.0
http://sqlfool.com/2010/04/index-defrag-script-v4-0/

Ola's SQL Server 2005 and 2008 - Backup, Integrity Check and Index Optimization
http://ola.hallengren.com/

Brent Ozar's BLITZ! 60 minute SQL Server takeover script
http://www.brentozar.com/sql/blitz-minute-sql-server-takeovers/

Kimberly Tripp's sp_helpindex2:
http://www.sqlskills.com/blogs/kimberly/post/Updates-%28fixes%29-to-sp_helpindex2.aspx

Tibor Karazsi's utility procedures:
sp_indexinfo: http://www.karaszi.com/SQLServer/util_sp_indexinfo.asp
sp_tableinfo: http://www.karaszi.com/SQLServer/util_sp_tableinfo.asp

Free Maintenance / Performance Tools

SQL Sentry Plan Explorer:
http://www.sqlsentry.net/plan-explorer/sql-server-query-view.asp

Microsoft's SQL Server Backup Simulator:
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/sqlserverfaq/archive/2010/10/27/sql-server-backup-simulator.aspx

Confio IgniteFree:
http://www.ignitefree.com/

PSSDIAG (for SQL Server 7.0 / 2000):
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?familyid=5564386A-28C2-4483-8293-76FFF67B9EB3

SQLNexus (for SQLDiag / PSSDiag):
http://sqlnexus.codeplex.com/

SQLQueryStress:
http://www.datamanipulation.net/sqlquerystress/

SQL Load Generator:
http://sqlloadgenerator.codeplex.com/

SQLIOSim:
http://blogs.msdn.com/sqlserverstorageengine/archive/2006/10/06/SQLIOSim-available-for-download.aspx

Performance Analysis of Logs (PAL) Tool:
http://pal.codeplex.com/

scaleSQL ClearTrace:
http://www.scalesql.com/cleartrace/
Qure Workload Analyzer:
http://www.dbsophic.com/qure-workload-analyzer/

Joe Chang's SQL Exec Stats (docs):
http://www.qdpma.com/ExecStatsZip.html

AutoAudit:
http://autoaudit.codeplex.com/

SQL Server Cache Manager:
http://sqlservercache.codeplex.com/

SQL Server 2005 Performance Statistics Script:
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/psssql/archive/2007/02/21/sql-server-2005-performance-statistics-script.aspx

SQL Server 2005 Performance Dashboard Reports:
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/sqlrem/archive/2007/03/07/performance-dashboard-reports-now-available.aspx

SQL Server 2008 Performance Dashboard Reports:
http://blogs.technet.com/b/rob/archive/2009/02/18/performance-dashboard-reports-for-sql-server-2008.aspx

SQL Server Health and History Tool (SQLH2):
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=EEDD10D6-75F7-4763-86DE-D2347B8B5F89
Performance Collector: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?familyid=64983AF0-7902-427E-9B41-7C2E8FDCC140
Performance Reports: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?familyid=A4B837C7-A1FA-4F25-840B-FEF15E917F18

SqlMonitoring Tool:
http://sqlmonitoring.codeplex.com/

Log Parser 2.2:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=890cd06b-abf8-4c25-91b2-f8d975cf8c07

DMVStats 1.01:
http://sqldmvstats.codeplex.com/

Free Configuration / Policy Tools

Quest Discovery Wizard beta:
http://www.quest.com/discovery-wizard-for-sql-server/

Enterprise Policy Management (EPM) Framework:
http://epmframework.codeplex.com/

Partition Management:
http://sqlpartitionmgmt.codeplex.com/
SQL Server Central Management System:
http://sqlcms.codeplex.com/

SQL Server Express Utility:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=fa87e828-173f-472e-a85c-27ed01cf6b02

Free SQL Server IDEs

Various free tools from Atlantis:
http://www.atlantis-interactive.co.uk/

Toad for SQL Server has a freeware version:
http://toadforsqlserver.com/index.jspa

Free SQL Server eBooks

I was really reluctant to list all of the eBooks I could find, because it is often difficult to asses the legality of many offers out there.  Here are a few that I know are legit, and I'll let you search for others on your own.

SQL Server Crib-Sheet Compendium (Chris Massey):
http://www.simple-talk.com/sql/learn-sql-server/free-ebook-sql-server-crib-sheet-compendium/

SQL Server DMV Starter Pack (Glenn Berry, Louis Davidson, Tim Ford):
http://downloads.red-gate.com/ebooks/SQLServer_DMV_StarterPack.zip

Defensive Database Programming (Alex Kuznetsov):
http://www.red-gate.com/specials/Ebooks/defensive_database_programming.htm

SQL Server Execution Plans (Grant Fritchey):
http://www.red-gate.com/specials/Grant.htm

Introducing SQL Server 2008 R2 (Microsoft Press):
http://download.microsoft.com/download/C/D/1/CD1648C1-46BC-4C79-B16F-7AF650C186B4/693883ebook.pdf

Brad's Sure Guide to SQL Server 2008 (Brad McGehee):
http://www.red-gate.com/specials/ToolbeltBradsure.htm

Paul Randal's DBA-myth-a-day series
http://www.sqlskills.com/BLOGS/PAUL/post/Myths-and-misconceptions-60-page-PDF-of-blog-posts.aspx

Free SSIS Tools and Resources

SSIS Community Tasks and Components
http://ssisctc.codeplex.com/

Free PowerShell Tools and Resources

PowerGUI:
http://www.powergui.org/downloads.jspa

Free PowerShell IDE:
http://www.hanselman.com/blog/FreePowerShellIDE.aspx

PowerShell Extensions (SQLPSX):
http://sqlpsx.codeplex.com/

TechNet : Scripting with PowerShell:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/scriptcenter/powershell.aspx

PowerShellPack:
http://archive.msdn.microsoft.com/PowerShellPack

Free PowerShell eBooks

An Introduction to Microsoft PowerShell
http://download.microsoft.com/download/a/9/4/a94270c7-ed16-4c72-8280-658c66315719/Windows%20Powershell%20-%20EN.zip

Effective Windows PowerShell
http://keithhill.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!5A8D2641E0963A97!6930.entry?sa=58811724

PowerShell Workbook : server administration
http://blogs.technet.com/b/chitpro-de/archive/2008/02/28/free-windows-powershell-workbook-server-administration.aspx

Master-PowerShell:
http://powershell.com/cs/blogs/ebook/

Ran across this article a while back that laid out some good references for JavaScript. As with most programmers who have done any amount of web-based programming, I have coded in JavaScript before, but it was more hacking together what was needed to get the job done than actually writing solid maintainable code. With the advent of Windows 8, HTML5 and the supposed downfall of WPF, I should probably start studying JavaScript in a more in-depth manner. The original article can be found here: What to Read to Get Up to Speed in JavaScript

The main pieces of what Rey Bango had to say are copied below for future reference:

Introductory

These are books that will give you the fundamentals of the JavaScript language and get you started:

• JavaScript: The Good Parts
• Professional JavaScript for Web Developers (Wrox Programmer to Programmer)
• ppk on JavaScript, 1/e
• Beginning JavaScript with DOM Scripting and Ajax: From Novice to Professional (Beginning: from Novice to Professional)
• Eloquent JavaScript (Online Resource)

Intermediate

Once you’ve gotten an understanding of the basics, it’s time to get a resource that will take you deeper and in many cases be your reference for years to come. These books fit that description.

• Professional JavaScript for Web Developers (Wrox Programmer to Programmer)
• JavaScript: The Definitive Guide
• Eloquent JavaScript (Online Resource)
• DOM Scripting: Web Design with JavaScript and the Document Object Model – Not JavaScript-specific but a good resource for learning to interact with the DOM

Advanced

You have a firm grasp of the JavaScript language and now you want to step up your game. These books will help you get the knowledge you need to organize your applications and build maintainable code.

• High Performance JavaScript (Build Faster Web Application Interfaces)
• Object-Oriented JavaScript: Create scalable, reusable high-quality JavaScript applications and libraries
• JavaScript Patterns
• Pragmatic Guide to JavaScript
• Pro JavaScript Techniques
• Secrets of the JavaScript Ninja

God Mode Reading

As Peter van der Zee likes to call it “godmode; the actual specification”. Want some deep reading and know every nook and cranny of the language. Here ya go:

• Standard ECMA-262 ECMAScript Language Specification 3rd edition (December 1999) – PDF File – This is what’s widely supported in all major browsers
• Standard ECMA-262 ECMAScript Language Specification 5th edition (December 2009) – This is what all major browser vendors are working to implement

Blogs

• ScriptJunkie.com – I’m a little biased on this one because I manage this site but I work hard to get really good content about JavaScript as well as HTML & CSS
• JSmentors.com – the JavaScript mailing list I started with Asen Bozhilov which provides a safe, professional place to discuss JavaScript and learn from the best
• DailyJS
• BadassJS
• JavaScript Weekly Newsletter
• JSMag – Monthly Magazine
• YUI Theatre – Tons of videos on JavaScript-related topics
• John Resig
• Peter van der Zee
• Peter Michaux
• Garrett Smith
• Juriy Zaytsev a.k.a. kangax
• Dmitry A. Soshnikov
• Steven Levithan
• John-David Dalton
• Stoyan Stefanov
• Benjamin Rosseaux a.k.a. BeRo
• Diego Perini
• Angus Croll
• Peter van der Zee
• Christian C. Salvadó
• Christophe Porteneuve
• Nicholas C. Zakas
• David Flanagan
• Rey Bango – That’s me! Here’s my feed URL. Subscribe!

What if *I* had to Choose Just 3 Books

If I had to choose just three books to have in my stash, I’d go with the following:

• Professional JavaScript for Web Developers (Wrox Programmer to Programmer)
• Object-Oriented JavaScript: Create scalable, reusable high-quality JavaScript applications and libraries
• JavaScript Patterns

Some may disagree with me on this but I’ve personally found each one of these books incredibly valuable. Professional JavaScript for Web Developers is a complete reference and covers EVERYTHING. All developers need a book like this. The book on Object-Oriented JavaScript is great to give you an understanding of leveraging one of the best features in JavaScript. Once you get past the basics, you’re going to want to identify key coding practices that make your code better and more maintainable. JavaScript Patterns helps you do that.