blinkenlight console - not only for PDP's !

From: vrs <vrs_at_msn.com>
Date: Tue Apr 13 09:12:52 2004

> Cadsoft (www.cadsoft.de or www.cadsoftusa.com) has a nice PCB CAD tool
> (Eagle CAD). There's a freeware version, but it's limited in
> schematic and PCB size. There's also a low cost non-profit version
> that's still somewhat limited but a lot less, it might work for you.
> I've been using an older version for some time now, it's quite a nice
> product.

I use this (and like it) too. Also, I bought the unlimited version, so I
can lay out arbitrarily large PCBs (did a TC08 backplane layout recently).
I could probably be arm-twisted to lay out the combo board (especially if
the two smaller boards have already been done). I also have some (limited)
experience using Eagle to generate the files needed by a board fab.

> There's also www.pcb123.com, which is a PCB shop that offers a
> freeware PCB tool to go with their service. I think the trick is that
> it's tied to their PCB fab, but their prices don't seem to be fairly
> reasonable. I haven't tried that yet. That one doesn't seem to have
> any size limits.

I tried this, but didn't like it well enough to offset the tie to their fab.
In particular, I was worried that classic computer stuff would outlive the
company that does pcb123. With Eagle, at least I have the installation
media and a (perpetual) license, so I should be able to use any future fab I
need to.

    Vince
Received on Tue Apr 13 2004 - 09:12:52 BST