[sdiy] "obsolete" 2N3906

[Paul Maddox]

Grant,


> You will notice those are both TO-92 packages. This is just a continuation
> of the process of eliminating through hole parts and forcing everyone to
> switch to surface mount. This was to be expected the day surface mount was
> announced.

hehe, paranoia?

> If you can sell 0.1 gram of plastic and 1 gram of plastic for the same
> price, your going to phase out the 1 gram part. Surface mount is much more
> profitable to the parts manufacturers because of the reduction of raw
> materials used while maintaining the same end selling price.

agreed, it makes good business sense, but whats wrong with progress?

Also from a DIY point of view with PCB costs based on area, does it not make
sense to switch to smaller parts?
Soldering surface mount parts is NOT hard, especially transistors/resistors
(go for the 1206 stuff to start).
Surface mount ICs can take a bit more effort, but with practice surface
mount soldering is a *LOT* quicker.
I can solder a 64pin TQFP in about an quarter of the time I can solder a
40pin DIL.

Paul