Homebrew PCBs

Hey guys, The plated through holes is interesting, yet it sounds 
costly and burdomsome, as well as risky disposal issues. I have never 
had the need to made a quantity amout of boards, just 2 or 3 of the 
same footprint. I have never used plated through holes, but I have 
used little tiny metal insert sleeves I saw in a catalog. I was 
already placing an order anyway so nix the shipping fees for just the 
sleeves. I used these on a realatively small board ( probably less 
than 100 holes), and everything worked out great. 

I am not a seasoned vet at this. I just like to tinker. This worked 
for me, but I am wondering - did I just get lucky? Did I do something 
totally taboo? Or is plated through holes something totally different?

...just a newbie trying to fit in,
                                  -OpryStar