7805 is popular for Embedded Systems and 7905 is sometimes used for the Dual Supply needs in such Microcontroller cards with Mixed Design sub-sections like A/D or Opamps.
7812 and 7912 are very popular in powering Traditional Opamp or communications circuits with a stable and reliable Dual Supply.
Power Supplies Section - Here you will find examples of 7824 and 7924 Power supplies.

In Instrumentation and Industrial Circuits where Size is not a problem and the current or power usage is less. A Mains transformer, bridge regulators, capacitors and these regulators are a time tested low noise and robust system.
SMPS does have EMI-RFI problems, hence use when small sizes are needed and high currents are required. In battery powered devices switching supplies are inevitable as they are power efficient.