Substitute for LM317 voltage/current regulator?

[M3tal]

Let me just apologize in advance here and tell you I know next to NOTHING about electronics. But for anyone who has a clue...

I want to do a little experimenting on a red laser diode from a DVD player while I wait for my 405nm parts to arrive in the mail. In reference to this tutorial by Daedal:

http://laserpointerforums.com/f42/diy-homemade-laser-diode-driver-26339.html

...would it be possible to substitute the LM317 with one of these 2 voltage regulators I linked to below, not necessarily for long-term use, just for playing around?

http://www.national.com/ds/LM/LM317.pdf

LX8384-00 , (Microsemi Corporation) - 5A LOW DROPOUT POSITIVE REGULATORS (LX8384-00.pdf , LX8384-00 pdf)

I found these on a couple obsolete motherboards I have laying around. I have all the components needed for a LD driver circuit EXCEPT the voltage regulator. I know I could just as easily go out and buy an LM317 but why buy when you can build something for free?

 

[jib77]

Careful w/ low dropout and very low drop out regulators ... they usually require input and output caps to make them stable.

The LX8384 requires a whopping 1500uF with low ESR caps on the input and output and is a 5Amp part ... would not recommend using this one. The high capacitance ultra low ESR caps required will be more expensive than buying a handful of LM317 regulator.

The first link is for a LM317 ... is that the correct link? If it is, just use that part.