At 00:24 17/08/99 +1000, you wrote:
>"The outputs are 11 Leds each at the 60 ma. level" should read "The outputs
>are 11 Leds each at the 16 ma. level"

Why did you need to parallel the PICs, in that case?  Each output can
easily drive 16mA, even with 11 at once, unless I'm missing something?

It's interesting that it works, but your method isn't something I would
ever hope to meet commercially, for a number of reasons-

A few are:

1) Any slight timing or speed differences between devices will result in
contention- ie for a brief period there will be an effective short circuit
between one pin which has switched to 5V and one which hasn't switched yet.
 Long term this is likely to cause premature failure, at least of some of
the outputs.

2) One PIC right on top of another PIC will reduce the power handling
capacity of both PICs, so you don't actually get "twice the strength", as
each one will tend to heat up the other, and insulate the other, stopping
it cooling so effectively through the case.

3) If there are any disagreements between the PICs, one or both will be
damaged, and could probably start a fire in the right circumstance...

There are probably more reasons, but those are a reasonably compelling
start!  Basically, it's a 'neat trick', but I certainly wouldn't want to
trust my life to it, or anything valuable for that matter.
;-)

Nigel