Please excuse my weak electronics abilities as I am an ME struggling my
way into programming these little critters.

I've read (and are still reading) lots of the PIC resources, ECH, FAQ
archives, etc.  I have a couple of questions I'm sure someone (probably
everyone but me <g>) can help with:

1. Can someone tell me (in laymen terms?) what a Schmitt Trigger
is/does/is used for (as shown in the 16C84 notes)?

2. One of the App Notes from MC - re RS232 interfacing, showed a schematic
with a component called ZVN104 which was used as part of an interface to a
RS232 level.  I plan on using a MAX chip or one of the other driver chips
but I am still curious as to exactly what that component was - for my
(continuing) education - I was unable to find it with any of my
electronics suppliers, or at least didn't know what I was looking for :).

Thanks in advance,

Scott

Scott.Horton1@bridge.bst.bls.com