source= http://www.piclist.com/postbot.asp?id=piclist\2003\01\25\175613a The free PCB thing is not designed to attract professionals like you Olin... It is for students, hobbyists, kids, etc... who can't afford to pay for boards or who aren't sure the board they are designing will work and want to get some feedback etc... (make it open source) and then get the board made. Also, it is about GIVING. We give advice, code, etc... but we don't seem to often give board layouts. The contest hopes (and mostly fails, but has succeeded at times) to encourage that. I don't think Olimex is doing this for advertising... again, its about giving back. But if they are, I'm happy to say that they make darn fine boards. Lots of people will agree. And wouldn't it be interesting as a method of marketing to let people see what sort of quality in design the great Olin puts out? If you take the time to put out a board design, I'll sing your praises and lots of people would benefit from your experience. "My competition is not my enemy?" I DIDN'T say the PBK was a good idea. I'm in the CUMP camp remember? And I DON'T have time to DO what I need to do now. I was just trying to prevent another round of people spending hours and hours working towards something that never gets produced, etc... I'm hoping that I may piss off some of the people who were pushing the PBK to the point that they will get something out the door. Another good thing about the contest is that you can try something and find out if it will work without spending cash (again, think student, etc...) So, come on, PBKers: Put SOMETHING out. Don't worry, we will still tell you what you did wrong AFTER you do it. --- James Newton: PICList.com webmaster, former Admin #3 mailto:jamesnewton@piclist.com 1-619-652-0593 phone http://www.piclist.com/member/JMN-EFP-786 PIC/PICList FAQ: http://www.piclist.com -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList mailto:piclist-unsubscribe-request@mitvma.mit.edu