[sudo-discuss] ac phase control

anyone know if this <http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/projects/controlling-ac-mains-with-a-microcontroller-for-fun-and-profit/> zero-cross detect circuit is overkill or if this <http://playground.arduino.cc/Main/ACPhaseControl> one will work safely. not really sure what is happening w/the ac before the xero-cross opto on the 1st one