Well, I've been using Cadsoft's Eagle.  (the freeware version, although I'm
about ready to send off some $200 for the low-cost licenses.)  I can't
compare it to anything other than generic drawing programs, but I'm finding
it pretty useful, and the level of support you get via their "forums" (from
both Cadsoft and other users) is quite good, ESPECIALLY for freeware (IMO,
it's pretty good even for the full-price package.)  Furthermore, the level
of development occuring is pretty impressive.  There were massive
improvements from V3 to V4, and while their library manager is non-existant,
but they KNOW that and they're working on it.  A lot of free/cheap packages
are old versions with no further development occuring, or someone's pet
project with approximately approximately one guy on it.  It's got a
programming language that offers considerable power to add on features, and
I like their whole ATTITUDE toward freeware/etc.

But I've only done 10 boards or so, all of which were implemented locally
on an LPKF router, rather than "standard" methods...

BillW

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