On 19/03/2011 20:02, Mike Hord wrote:
> Interesting.
>
> Designspark is BIG- sponsored by RS/Allied, not some shadowy cadre of
> unknowns.

Indeed, I assumed so too given the RS connection - I got no warning=20
(using Chrome with Norton 360, but I do have script enabled)

> That said, I've been using DesignSpark for a week or so, and I'm VERY
> pleased. On a usability level, I'm finding it exceeds pretty much any oth=
er
> application I've tried.
>
> I certainly don't think it's ready to roll with the big players, at least=
 as
> far as
> PCB design goes, but for schematic capture and the simple boards I will
> use it for, it's probably going to edge out Proteus as my design tool of
> choice.
>
> If your desired pricepoint is $0, I don't think you'll find better anywhe=
re.
>

Useful information, thanks.
As far as price goes, I think everyone's "desired" pricepoint is $0 :-)
Certainly I don't mind spending money for quality software (and expect=20
to) but if I can find the same performance for free the choice is an=20
easy one. It's whether it's worth the time spent to move across, you=20
have to be sure it's reasonably stable, compatible (apparently you can=20
import Eagle designs now) development will continue, it will remain free=20
and so on.
It is not open source but some may see that as a plus for such complex=20
software (I think the same people behind EasyPCB or some other free=20
package?)
On the question of it stopping being free once enough people start to=20
use it, I saw this asked on the site and there was a very confident=20
response that this will not be the case...
Overall I get the impression it may do well, I have been considering a=20
free package for a while (now things seem to be improving somewhat with=20
Kicad, GEDA, etc) but not been convinced to stop spending money yet :-)
I think I will try it out with a couple of personal projects, see how it=20
compares.



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