> >I've never had the need to try them out, but it is generally reported
> >that if Microchip ever sold it 'way back then', you can buy it from them
> now.
> >There may be exceptions (maybe not) but if you MUST have a 20 year old
> >part you can buy it. Service like that takes some going past.
>=20
> AFAICT, they've dropped the parts that require a ceramic windowed package=
,
> but if you designed the same part in an OTP package (using the windowed
> part for development - ugh, bad memories) you can still get them. Eg.
> PIC17C756a.
>=20
> That kind of policy has to come from the top- it obviously trims their pr=
ofits a
> bit in the short term to have to stock dies/wafers for many years or what=
ever
> else they have to do to make it happen, but long term it can earn great
> customer loyalty.

My understanding is the parts just get more expensive once they are out of =
the  catalogue, but if you really need to 'build to print' they are availab=
le.

--=20
http://www.piclist.com/techref/piclist PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist
.