Re: Affordable PCB Layout Software ???
- From: rickman <gnuarm@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 2 Aug 2008 05:38:57 -0700 (PDT)
On Jul 31, 12:47 am, James Morrison <sp...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Most modern GUI's are based around the idea that you pick the object (think
right-click on a desktop) and then select the function (delete, copy, ...).
But when entering schematics and laying out a board, one usually wants to
perform the same function many times on multiple objects. So that is how
EAGLE has traditionally functioned: pick function then apply to multiple
objects until another function is picked.
But with newbies who are used to object selecting this seems odd and takes
some getting used to. EAGLE 5 now allows the user to do both: right click
and pick function or use the traditional EAGLE model which is actually more
efficient once you get the hang of it.
That is certainly a matter of opinion. I used Eagle some years ago to
produce a small board. I had to go through the learning curve to get
used to the odd way of operating the interface. I then returned to
the tool about 6 months later to make some small changes. I had to go
through the learning curve all over again! The "traditional"
interface is so counter intuitive that I couldn't just sit down and
use it even though I had used it before.
I would think that having both modes available at once would be even
worse! Having to right click objects to perform selection has got to
be a PITA. I don't think I have ever seen a UI that didn't let you
use left click to select or group select. Life is too short and work
hours are too long to waste time learning new user interfaces every
time I pick up a tool.
CadSoft (a completely separate business entity) does have a database of
license owners. The license card is the primary method of establishing
ownership for upgrade pricing, though I haven't had anyone ask about the
pricing from EAGLE 2. I'm sure there are other ways to establish ownership
in extreme cases but that would be up to CadSoft to determine.
Does this list include legal owners of the software who have been
infected with the "Eagle virus"?
If you want to see the latest revision just download from cadsoftusa.com.
The freeware version will run fine and the license can be upgraded without
needing a reinstall.
Here is the real reason that I will never use Eagle again... the
licensing! A company that will sever your contract because you used a
portion of some design that used a portion of some design that used a
part that had been used by a cracked version of the tool is just not
worth considering for any professional development.
I can protect myself from viruses in email, in Word documents or over
the Internet. But there is no software available that will protect me
from the virus of a part from a cracked Eagle program. Until you fix
the flaw in your licensing scheme, you are putting all of your
customers at risk. But then you wouldn't see it that way would you?
Anyone who encounters this "virus" is no longer a customer!!!
Rick
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