Aside from that, how do you know that a '922 is not the best choice? If he's building a onesie, and already has the part, maybe he wants to use it just because he's already got it. It saves quite a bit of coding, though I admit the keypad scanning code is widely and freely available.
the world look different when you view it from a different point.

My background is mass production of the best using the best. That is my perspective and that is my base for comments. I assume that some experience from the discussion may some day be reflected in a mass produced product.

Yes, "little Joe" is only building one for fun, but if he grow up believeing the 8255 is the answer to every prayer, what will he be worth when he get a real job? Even worse, who will get him out of the mess.

I can not go along with the idea that because it is "one off" "amateur" or whatever second rate is acceptable.

Erik