Can anyone recommend good PCB design software?

[sc1103]

I'm looking to build a couple of simple PCB's-mostly tact switches and 10k ohm resistors with a couple 4021 shift registers-and need software to help me design and layout the solder mask.  I'm following the recommendations that I'd seen on a page linked to by the Rototron project; however, the author paid 450 bucks for a copy of the software he is using.  I tried out Eagle and it seemed fairly simple, however, I'm not sure where to find my ICs in there.  Can anyone recommend a simple to use program to help me create these masks?  Thanks!

[chemame]

*shrug* http://pcb.sourceforge.net/faq.html ?

Claims to be cygwin friendly, should you need that... On the other hand, I know it's included as part of the base Debian distro. Even leaving my mame machine out of the equation, I have come to see the good sense in keeping a debian system handy, even if only as a dual-boot, JUST for ready-to-install opensource packages like this one!

DISCLAIMER: I've never seen PCB, or used any PCB design software, so I'm not qualified to rate it. Seems to be the one people use though, and it's included in Debian, so it can't be COMPLETE garbage.

Chemame

[GoPodular.com]

A good friend of mine uses eagle, but I've never used it:
http://www.cadsoft.de/

[rdagger]

I've been using the free version of CADSoft Eagle for 2 weeks now.  It is not very intuitive and the instructions are weak.  Nonetheless, it works very well once you get the hang of it.   You add IC's and other parts from the built-in libraries in the schematic window by pressing the button shown below.  You can also create your own libraries and design your own parts.  Although, I haven't tried this yet.  You can search the libraries using wildcards.  For example, *1N4148* will find this diode.  You also have to make sure that you are using the desired libraries.

The guy I linked to on my site, probably gets the software free for the advertising.

[sc1103]

Yea it seems im going with eagle, just have to figure out where the NES controller chip is in there  .  At least my CAD class gives me time to do all this.  Thanks for all the help.