> I'm controlling the LCD manually (for now) with 11 DIP switches.

    Bad idea.

    Mechanical switches will bounce so that one on or off transition looks
    like many to the LCD.  You could have the switches go into a PIC that
    debounces them, then drives the LCD.

One of the pieces of gear I made that still survives and is useful is
a couple of "bounceless pushbuttons" - a small PCB with some SPDT
microswitches and a 7400 (showing its age!) in the classic debounce SR
flipflop configuration, with breadboard-compatible wires for output
and power.  Very handy.  Everyone should make some...

 :-)
BillW

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