agree, except for > stick with through-hole parts, if at all possible These days it's more work to avoid SMD than it is to embrace it. Many many parts are not

agree, except for > stick with through-hole parts, if at all possible These days it's more work to avoid SMD than it is to embrace it. Many many parts are not available in through-hole, and dealing with 0805 passives and 0.65mm pitch ICs is not that difficult (unless you assume that it is). As a bonus, you get much easier re-work, access to assembly services, and cheaper components.