> I'm about to order a couple of PCBs from Olimex, this is the first time
> ever I've done this, and just wondered what the common mistakes maybe?
> Does anyone have a link to a website with helpful hints?  I've looked
> at the Olimex site which seems quite helpful just looking for any other
> suggestions is Olimex a good idea for a beginner like me?

Olimex has many hints on their site.

> I've used Eagle and am not entirely sure what format is best to send
> them too, they mention taking eagle files directly, those who use
> Olimex, what format do you use?

I used Eagle, after running Olimex's two Eagle macros. I wish I could
figure out how to configure the drills to Olimex's standards. In fact,
the ability to use Eagle files was one of the things that made Olimex
my choice.

> The double sided boards, will they look like professionally mad boards,
> ie with an insulating mask over the traces, and a silk screen of all
> the stuff i've written in Ealge on the front?

Ayup. My boards were great from Olimex. All the mistakes were mine.

> Sorry if anyone feels these questions are answered in help or online
> files, I just want to hear some personal feedback from anyone who have
> used Olimex or similar to make their first PCB recently!  I just don't
> want to throw away money or look like an idiot....

Just remember to have some text off the board on *each* layer you want. I
just wrote the name of each layer. It looks funny, but it won't be in
your final boards and it helps them to keep the layers straight.
--
D. Jay Newman           !
jay@sprucegrove.com     ! Xander: Giles, don't make cave-slayer unhappy.
http://enerd.ws/robots/ !

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