linear regulators

ReverseEMF:
Well, I guess that's what I get for relying on "intuition" rather than doing the math. :stuck_out_tongue:
But, there is a slightly better spreading of power dissipation.

I'd hardly call half-a-watt better. Especially when it can cause the problems I outlined here:
http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=545419.msg3722828#msg3722828