[Lcdproc] Help with Futaba 40x2 VFD M402SD06GL

[dia3olik]

Hi all!
i would like to use my vfd with freevo which support lcdproc...
my display is a Futaba M402SD06GL (40x2 model)
and many info about it are written in german...
it seems the germans geeks' favourite!
;-)
Like here:
http://www.itx-corner.de/p6/bilder/Howto_Futaba-VFD/

The LCDproc user guide state here:
http://lcdproc.sourceforge.net/docs/stable-0-5-x-user.html#serialVFD- 
howto

that pin 23 is SELECT but display connector has only 20pin!

 From the guide on itx-corner it seems that SELECT is on pin  
18...what do you use guys?

Also someone had to connect pin 17 and 18 together, is it really needed?
(i don't think so but someone had to do it...)

In serial mode does this display needs the signal to be inverted like  
others?
What's the best baud rate?

Which connection is preferred/used by you? Serial or Parallel?

Thanks a lot and sorry for my english!
Tommy