SO i got my board designed now, and i used the .1 headers. i managed to fit everything on there, plus 18 I/O pins that can go to anoterh board on top. my issues that im having now, are that i dont think i can easily do thru-hole plating at home (i managed to fit everything on the board, using only 5 vias that i will need to solder a pin through), and i took a copy the design to staples for a copy, and they charged me 4 times as much because i wanted it dark, and its not good enough for me to use. now im looking into either getting my own laser printer, or trying out the inkjet transparencies. (i have about 8 injets lying around, they come free with almost everything now. within the next year or two, im sure we will see them at the bottom of cereal boxes!!!)