I was thinking 8 input but only 7 output, 6 for the lcd and 3 for a tpic6x595, but 2 pins shared between the shift register and the lcd. Hadn't considered networking.
But actually, now Ron will have a 74hc595, he could use that to drive the lcd, daisy chain the tpic6x595 to it and need only 3 outputs, so use spi. Seem to remember ethernet adaptors also use spi.