Jesus, we use proto-boards in our shop because they are good experimentation platforms. I have a complete AT89C51IC2 based system including two 82c55 I/O expanders, five MAX3100CEE+ UARTs hanging off the SPI port w/ a MAX208CWG 4 port RS232 Transceiver and a SP331CT RS232/RS485 transceiver hanging off of them, two DS1802 digital pots hanging off one of the 82c55's, and all the supportive tissue (caps and resistors) necessary to make them work. It wasn't meant for production but worked dependable enough for us to develop software necessary to control video projectors, doc cams, audio amps, lights, CD and VHS players (through their IR remote ports) and other processors down the line. In fact it worked well enough that it was never dismantled just adapted to new things. I make surfboards for the devices that don't come in DIP packages, including the Micro, and I use a regulator to help clean up the power coming on to the board. After we pull out the concept bugs we mill our own PCB to fine tune the system and then send the finished product to the Fab house if we need a bunch. I even learned how to make Class D amps, switching at ~175KHz, on them. Of course I destroyed that board when I ran the FET supply over 60V and things went screwy.