Hi Nomad. I think you are missing the point
Squibcakes programmer is Free - oh sorry, you have to buy 3 resistors. I like free, especially if it works

I have stopped using any other programmers - this programmer works just fine on all the 16F and 18F PICS I use for my projects - and I have never blown up a PIC yet. I just install an ICSP plug on the project board and have a DB9 to ICSP header plug. s mentioned, use a regular PC Com port, not a USB to serial cable.

For 16F, I use WINPIC800 software, and for 18F I use ICProg, both set to JDM mode