Rev 1.2
After working on version 1.0 for a while I realized there were a few shortcomings in the design. Not show stoppers by any means, but features that were handy to have on the board... not on a peripheral. Version 1.0 worked as intended and is running a temperature monitor and RTCC continuously as I write this. There was not a flaw on the board, I am really happy with it.
But, it needed some extras so I started work on version 1.1. I added a dedicated LCD port, a MAX232CSE, RS232 connector and glue, and a USB port/connector. The design software didn't have an up to date component for the USB connector so I needed to model a new one. If you've ever had to layout a complex footprint, you know what I'm talking about when I say it takes time.. cuz it better be right! This brought the board size to a whopping 3"x3.5". Wow. During the research on the chip for the USB support I learned about the SSP port and it's functions. STOP THE PRESSES!!!
PIC18F4550 Dev Boards Arrived
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They just arrived, now if I could just get this grin off my face I could assemble one of them.
Smaller than a credit card. PCBCart in China did a fantastic job on the boards. I submitted the artwork on the 9th of this month using their standard 12 day service, and got the boards on the 17th via FedEx Standard! Now that's service! Much better than my experience with PCB-Pool.