About the problem with getting files back and forth. You could get a program I know of called Link Maven and make (or buy, but I know you don't want to spend any more money on it) a laplink cable. It goes into your parallel port, looks like a regular parallel cable, but is wired differently on the inside. I made my own makeshift cable by getting some solid-core wire (not stranded), following a pinout and wiring from the back of an old pc into a female parallel cable. :fear: (yes, I'm a ninja)
The solid core wire is flexible and will stay put. But, I guess a more permanent solution is to get two cables (1 male end/1 female end), wire up the two female ends and secure the patched wires with an adhesive or tape wrappings. If you need more information, I'd be happy to help.
That's one solution. The other (which I've just done this past week with an old 233mhz) is to buy a USB card. On pricewatch.com, I bought a 4-port USB 2.0 PCI card for $9.00 w/free shipping (came in like 4 days).