> > 8.  I interface with the serial port without a MAX232 chip
>
> I have to trump you on that, I sometimes interface the serial port by
> connecting PIC +5V to serial port GND and PIC TX to serial RX

Make a small board with a MAX232 + caps on it, PC serial lead
and clips to attach to the PIC. Comes in very handy to download
or upload RAM / EEPROM during debugging

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