> Well, sockets make this nearly impossible, for instance.

Not if you use the "turned pin" type sockets. These are the only ones I will
use anyway, having had horrible experiences with cheaper ones, and the
happen to have a significant length of pin exposed that allows you to solder
on the top side.

They also make excellent "pin savers" for IC's that require frequent
removal, such as EPROM's going into a UV eraser.

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