[sdiy] DIY PCBs

[ChristianH]

Hi all,

So, the suggested chorus line is "have your boards made by by a PCB
company".

But what do they need to start? Is some kind of CAD data mandatory (thus
needing a software package capable of generating e.g. Gerber), or is it
possible to use a simple drawing of the board traces, e.g. as a raster
BMP or TIF file? 
And usually the board has to be drilled - how's that to be specified?

For the local diy gurus: any specific suggestions for diy suitable PCB
houses here in Germany?

cu
Christian