> Some hobbyists DO make PCBs, for them I suppose they pipeline things,
> start one project, send out the board, start another project, when the
> first board comes in finish the first project, etc. I find I work best
> when I concentrate on one project at a time, so this pipelining isn't an
> option for me.

I have the same thought. It is nice to concentrate on a project and 
knock out 2 or 3 prototype PCBs in an afternoon (when needed...).  I 
don't like waiting.  I generally want to deliver results now, not with 
the least total amount of time over several days or weeks. It takes me 
15 minutes to go from inkjet transparency to finished PCB.

...dreaded TQFP which means expensive proffesional PCB
>house use (in particular i've heared the facility needs to have very good
>soldermask resoloution for TQFP to be practical).


 I have no problem knocking up prototypes for TQFP or even QFN w/0402 
using an inkjet & overhead transparencies.  I love the SSOP & TQFP 
packages.  I can solder a while side of a TQFP with one stroke of my 
10Euro firestarter. Drilling and soldering a dip40 is a real pain, and a 
big chance for disaster with a misaligned hole.  What I really have a 
problem with are QFN with a center ground pad, but even this can be 
prototyped on a griddle with a little solder paste.

Cheers,

Ian

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