Homebrew PCBs

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Young" <mikewhy@...> wrote:
>
> What kind of problems? What does kicad do better than Eagle? What
teething 
> problems?

The problems are what you would expect of a new program:  It has good
functionality, but the process needs to be 'tweaked'.  In eagle,
making a new component is a three step process: define part (pins),
define the package (pads), integrate the two.  
In kicad, right now, it is two step: define the part, define a
package.  This would be ok, but there is no function that QAs the
mapping from part to package, and the only feedback is some cryptic
warnings that happen in the pcb layout program when you load the net
list, and that some of your ratsnest wires don't show up.
  What it can do better is that it is unlimited size, up to 16 inner
layers, availability of source code.  Source code for autorouter is
included.  I'm not impressed with the autorouter, but I have to assume
that it mainly my fault at this point.
  It's a pretty solid package, and I have not had it core on me yet.
Thanks
rmustakos