Ken,
You are just plain wrong. According the the
Wikipedia's entry on the 555,
"Still today,
Samsung in
Korea manufactures over 1
billion units per year (
2003)."
Ken that is BILLION with a B.
You don't get to a Billion units with yahoos and hobbyists.
Can you mis-use the 555?
Yes, of course.
Would it be unacceptable to use a 555 in a billion dollar satellite project?
Yes, of course.
Can they be put to great use by hobbyist, toy manufacturers, and others who are willing to live with their inherent limitations?
Yes, of course.
Is a blanket condemnation of using 555s anywhere under any circumstances just plain silly?
Yes, of course.
This is not to say that "golden rules" are not useful. But if I have the choice between understanding the reasons for rules and blind adherance, I am going to advocate understanding the rules.
I am going to go even further. In answer the the question that started this this thread, it is hard to argue that the best solution for the problem as presented is anything other than heading down to the local Radio Shack with $10*, buying a 555 and a few extra goodies and building a circuit that works as desired within 15 minutes of arriving home.
I am getting my undies all in a bunch because I believe with every fiber of my being that Engineering is an Art. It is a beautiful, wonderful, delightful art.
There are laws of physics, useful rules of thumb, and cold hard economics that come into play to be sure but at its core Engineering is Art. For these artists, there is no substute for sound engineering judgement.
Joe J.
*For an additional few buck he could have put in all in a nice pretty box to boot!