hey
Maxim, makers of the all kinds of interface chips including the ones above, are kind enough to provide a sample service... for (a few) chips, go to http://www.maxim-ic.com/ and register. Once you do this, you will be able to request up to three free samples per device type, through their automated sample system. Only drawback is that it is slow-- sometimes take a couple of weeks as the parts often come from Malaysia.
Digikey will also sell them to you via mail or UPS.
D
PS: non-electronic wasteland = unspoiled nature = good thing, or at least it used to be. 