[sdiy] Another new hard to find part....

[Paul Maddox]

Philip,

> You can get into SMD slowly.  Resistor/Caps can be fairly easy to hand
> solder and do save space.  Mixed TH/SMD is still fairly common in
> industry, as well.

yep, well said..
To be honest soldering SMD onto a PCB is quicker and easier than through
hole.
I can do a 64pin QFP AVR in about 1/5th the time I can do a 40 pin DIL
Through hole.

yes, a good soldering iron helps, but its not essential..

Paul