| ??? 10/30/07 19:48 Modified: 10/30/07 19:59 Read: times |
#146391 - Here\\\'s a suggestion ... Responding to: ???'s previous message |
Just so everyone can know what a pretty decent schematic capture package, and, for that matter, a PCB editor/autorouter, etc, can be, I'd suggest that those curious enough about what a DOS-based schematic capture package CAN be, email
OldDosOrcad@yahoogroups.com which is the user mailing list and ask some questions. Now, I'm not sure what the mechanics of getting "in" are, as I've been "in" for over a decade and have long forgotten. I would guess that you have to join the group. However, there's a files area from which the manuals, updated drivers, and the executables are obtainable, at no cost, once you're "in." Over the last 30+ years, I've worked with *NIX-based tools, and PC-based tools, among others, and never, ever encountered a schematic capture package that was more useful and friendly than the DOS-OrCAD SDT. It came with sufficient library content that, in the mid '80's, I was able to draw schematics at will without generating new symbols. When I did need a new symbol, it seldom took more than a half hour, and often less than 5 minutes' time. That need will probably occur more frequently now, as there are so many new components, and so few are multi-sourced. There's good and valuable help available from the mailing list, but, unlike this forum, I'd be VERY sure that you've thoroughly read and understood the manuals before going there for help. Once it's plain to the participants that you're too lazy to read the manuals, you'll simply be filtered out of everyone's email. Further, I don't know what will happen if you try to use SMS codes. In over a decade, I've never once encountered it on that mailing list. I do have recent versions of Windows-based Altium, OrCAD, and numerous other tool sets, some costing even more, and assure you, none of them come anywhere close to the ease and convenience of the old DOS-OrCAD tools for schematic capture, once you've read and understood the manuals. There's also a tricky but easy-to-use digital logic simulator that I've often found convenient, despite its foibles. RE |
