Can't help thinking that an LCD is a LOT cheaper than messing around with LED's if you want to show text.

Anyway, Maxim do a serially addressable, multiplexable LED driver which is nice to use, as you only need one programming resistor to set the operating current for all the LEDs. Can't remember the number, but I have a driver written in assembler for it.

Value your own time, don't waste it !

Steve