We use 2004 here at Avtron. Same conclusions. It is one of the most rock solid applications I've ever used. I've been using it for as long as I've been using Protel. It's not as tailored to EDA, but unlike Protel, it is solid, stable, and infinitely configurable.
Sad to hear that it uses the new virtual dongling that has become the norm. Understandable from the software giant's POV (need I mention the wholesale and factory-sized IT thievery that certain far-east nations have and are engaging in?), but sad all the same. >-----Original Message----- >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Steve Smith >Sent: Thursday, April 26, 2007 2:51 PM >To: Protel EDA Discussion List >Subject: Re: [PEDA] Open source equivalent to Protel > >Geoff, > >We have AutoCAD 2007. As far as major bugs, there are none to report. >It has on rare occasions locked up on me. I have used AutoCAD >11, 12, 2000, 2004 and it has always been a very stable >product. There have been only 2 patches released for 2007. >Printing has gotten incrementally easier with each release. >They added a PDF printout that is decent but could use a >little improvement as far as resolution is concerned. Moving, >editing, rotating and dimensioning have been marginally >improved over time. Editing blocks has gotten much easier. >Most of the old commands from the DOS versions still work. >Supposedly some of the biggest improvements have come in 3D >but we rarely use that here. Customizing the menus and >toolbars has been greatly improved along with text editing and >can now be linked to spreadsheets. I know that some claim it >is not intuitive for the casual user, but I have found it to >be a powerful, useful, and very stable piece of software. >What I dislike the most about AutoCAD is that I can no longer >have a second copy of it on my home system unless we purchase >their subscription plan, a $495 adder. > >Regards, >Steve Smith >Product Engineer >Staco Energy Products Co. >Web Site: www.stacoenergy.com >& www.stacopower.com > >DISCLAIMER AND/OR CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: >This message, including any attached materials, is intended >solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is >addressed and may contain information that is privileged, >confidential, and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. >If the reader of this electronic mail transmission is not the >intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any >dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication >is strictly prohibited. If you have received this >communication in error, please e-mail or call Staco Energy >Products Co. at (937) 253-1191. Thank you for your cooperation. > > > >-----Original Message----- >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >On Behalf Of Geoff Harland >Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2007 11:18 PM >To: [email protected] >Subject: Re: [PEDA] Open source equivalent to Protel > >I have never tried actually installing and evaluating gEDA as >of yet (either under Windows or Linux), but while reading some >documentaton hosted by its website (late last year, IIRC), I >gather that the "standard" version of the PCB package for gEDA >(i.e. in which no modifications have been made to any of its >source code) does not provide a bottom side Paste Mask layer >(? and doesn't provide a bottom side Overlay layer either ?). > >So even though I personally loathe assorted shortcomings >within Altium Designer, I don't think that the intellectual >giants within Altium's management have too much to worry about >as far as competition from gEDA is concerned, or at least not >for the time being. (There are doubtless at least some >sufficiently determined people who are prepared to jump >through all of the hoops necessary to install and subsequently >use gEDA, and who are also happy with its capabilities, but I >also surmise that such people would be unlikely to purchase AD >in any case.) > >I can't recall its name or other details right now, but I do >have recollections of hearing about yet another open source >and/or freeware PCB design application which runs on Windows >(or else either on Windows or Linux). However I would still be >surprised if it is significantly superior to gEDA as far as >its capabilities are concerned, so for the time being, anyone >wanting a "serious" PCB design applications still has to >decide which of the commercial products is "least vile" in nature. > >In that regard, the market for PCB design applications is >relatively small (compared with the market for other >applications such as word processing, etc), and it is also not >straightforward to write the source code for such applications >if they are to be of a truly satisfactory nature (as far as >both user-friendliness and capabilities are concerned). So >while it would be nice to think that AD could be a lot less >buggy than what it is, it also seems that the odds are still >stacked against its users ever getting to enjoy such an outcome. > >It has been many years since I last used AutoCAD (the last >time I did so, it was still a DOS version), but my >recollections of using it was that it didn't seem to be >afflicted with bugs of a "basic" or "fundamental" nature >(unlike another certain application), and as such, I am >wondering if there is anyone here who has had any experience >in using the most recent version (or otherwise another >relatively recent version), and is thus able to report on what >it is like, as far as bugs, defects, and other shortcomings >are concerned. I would be surprised to hear that it is totally >bug-free, or even that bugs are almost unheard of, but I am >still curious as to whether users have to contend with defects >which afflict elementary procedures (such as creating >printouts, moving and/or rotating objects, etc), and/or >whether they have to jump through hoops, or otherwise contend >with commands of a "clunky" nature, when undertaking >elementary procedures. > >I am well aware that AutoCAD is not a cheap application to purchase. >That said, nor is another certain application in this day and >age, so it would definitely be interesting to learn whether >AutoCAD is "shipped" to a distinctly higher standard... > >Regards, >Geoff Harland. > > >>I agree. >> >>If it's the tired and blue "Kill Bill" mentality so prevalent amongst >>certain anti-establishment quarters, perhaps someone might even go so >>far as to suggest that the disgruntled, aging hippy boss get some >>professional psychological assistance with his um...problems. >> >>Or I'd suggest that you consider a job change in the near future, as >>he's likely to screw your career without a second thought in order to >>further his political objectives. After all, you're talking about >>someone who wants to drop a package which your company already >>presumably owns (gleaned from your post) for a relatively unproven >>open-source product, operating on a platform which itself to >this date >>has not really been proven to be economically viable for >circuit design > >>and analysis outside of the hobbyist realm. >> >>Even the entry that Mr Selfridge claims as a Linux equivalent >is a hack > >>in comparison to Protel...8 layers? >> >>And I'm a fan of open source. But let's get real. >> >>aj > >Send instant messages to your online friends >http://au.messenger.yahoo.com > >____________________________________________________________ >You are subscribed to the PEDA discussion forum > >To Post messages: >mailto:[email protected] > >Unsubscribe and Other Options: >http://techservinc.com/mailman/listinfo/peda_techservinc.com > >Browse or Search Old Archives (2001-2004): >http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] > >Browse or Search Current Archives (2004-Current): >http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > > >____________________________________________________________ >You are subscribed to the PEDA discussion forum > >To Post messages: >mailto:[email protected] > >Unsubscribe and Other Options: >http://techservinc.com/mailman/listinfo/peda_techservinc.com > >Browse or Search Old Archives (2001-2004): >http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] > >Browse or Search Current Archives (2004-Current): >http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > This e-mail transmission and its attachments may contain information from Avtron Manufacturing, Inc. that is proprietary, privileged and/or confidential and is intended exclusively for the person(s) to whom it is addressed. Any use, copying, retention or disclosure by any person other than the intended recipient or the intended recipient's designees is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail and delete all copies. ____________________________________________________________ You are subscribed to the PEDA discussion forum To Post messages: mailto:[email protected] Unsubscribe and Other Options: http://techservinc.com/mailman/listinfo/peda_techservinc.com Browse or Search Old Archives (2001-2004): http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] Browse or Search Current Archives (2004-Current): http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
