Homebrew PCBs

On Sun, Dec 30, 2012 at 12:26 AM, Andrew <a_wake@...> wrote:
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "tda7000" <Tda7000@...> wrote:
>>
>> KiCad is the best!
>
> +1!!

Lest anyone decide on the basis of this to give up sliced bread and
try KiCad, I should point out that KiCad is far from a polished
program, and has warts-a-plenty.  However it is in general GOOD ENOUGH
for the majority of stuff that hobbyists want to do, and most of the
warts are easily worked around.

An example wart is that the symbols and footprints it's supplied with
are terrible.  But on the other hand, making new symbols and parts the
KiCad way is not only easy, but fun.  There are also several
repositories around the net, and large numbers of parts converted from
Eagle and Protel/Orcad.

Two notes: First, KiCad is undergoing rapid development/renovation,
and has been a bit unstable the past few months.  The new features
promise to be excellent, but if you're getting started and want the
least-pain option, I suggest getting the 2012-01-19 version.

Second, if you get stuck, there are two very active mailing lists, and
an IRC online chat room:

  http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/kicad-users/

  http://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=kicad

Being able to get live help around the clock is great.  (Say hi to me,
I'm "hackvana" :-) )

Regards,

Mitch.