Hey gents.
I have very little experience with modeling software for purposes of designing circuits, though I've seen some free programs geared toward getting YOU to send your PCB layout to their company to etch. I'm not too keen on sending a prototype off and paying big fees only to have a design defect.
Mostly, I want to breadboard future projects involving some robotics and some amateur radio homebrewing. I'd like a sim program that is fairly accurate, has a good selection of standard ICs, transistors, regulators, etc. as well as some popular microprocessors. I'd like it to have a good, updateable library. Would be nice if it even predicted temperature variances of components and corrected obvious errors to prevent damage.
I don't know where to start, really. The only software I've ever played with was from Global Specialties, a floppy disk from the 90s. Practically DOS based LOL. Crap software only good for educational purposes.
Any suggestions for free, inexpensive, or pricey but well worth it?
Sorry if this question is probably very redundant. If you care to reply, maybe you can offer the pros and cons of your pet program.