>2.) PIC Programmer from Parallax (PICPGM) at $215.58 plus $49.00 for 40 pin
>ZIF adaptor

Get the "hobbyist" version of the PICPGM directly from Parallax themselves.
It's only $99; the difference is that the documentation is provided on disk,
and you have to make your own cable.  (I used an old phone cord, and the
DB25 to RJ-11 adapter from Radio Shack.  Under $10.)  The hassle is that the
documentation is in Adobe's proprietary format (I forget which); you'll need
Windows to print it out.