better to use  the MAX232 chip or a set of 1488/1489 serial line
>drivers?  I'm looking for stability and protection for the pic circut. I've
>noticed that most commercial products still use the 1488/1489 pair instead
of
>max232's. is there a reason besides cheap??
>


It's a lot less expensive in bulk.  The max chip is ok, but beware of the
specs.
Their part rated at 115200, according to the reps we talked to, that means
that <SOME> of them will go that fast.  They wouldn't guarantee a speed that
every part could achieve.

I know this seems counterintuitive, but we spent about half a day trying to
get
past this, then gave up.