I have used the photographic method for years, with good results. I use positive presensitized boards
like these and blacklight bulbs #F15T8/BL. You can get the lamps **broken link removed** I use the developer they recommend and ferric chloride solution to etch.
I also use a dremel in a drill press base to drill, because I use carbide drills which are fragile, but last a long time if you're careful with them.
I don't use acetone to remove the etch resist - I usually leave it on to protect the traces. I've never gotten good results with those tin plating solutions.
As for the Sharpie pen method, I've also had good results with that, too. I have a flatbed plotter and made a holder for the pen. Just draw your pcb in your favorite CAD software, plot directly on clean copper pcb at 1x scale, etch and drill. Kinda limited in resolution, thats why I use the photo method now.
I hope this is helpful... JB