>
>3. Teaches me the basics of  computer layout.  Automated routing a big
>plus.

Don't mislead yourself.
Autorouting software is pretty awful, unless you have a really large budget.
The autorouter in the old dos orcad is actually better, in my opinion, than the new cadence layout package.  I can set up a board and have it finished in dos orcad, before I'm done setting up all the twitchy settings in layout.

Even at that, I've never used the autorouter for a commercial job, other than to see how crowded the board was. Hand routing is always way better.

>I need part libraries.
>   I'm a rookie with electonics but learning.  Professional
>SysAdmin/programmer by trade.

Or something that's easy to make parts in.
Making a part for schematic shouldn't be more than a 5-10 minute job.
PCB parts are more time consuming, but still, <30 mins each if you have all the layout info on hand.

9. Populate board (I use "pin thru hole", NOT smt technology).  Test and
>evaluate design.

Again, don't fear. Use throughhole as needed, and 1206 SMD parts.
1206 is easy to handle, and saves a lot of space and mess.

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