The problem with any JDM is that you first have to have a serial port. If you do have a serial port it may not provide the voltage need to provide a usable VPP. If you use a USB to serial adaptor the chances of it not working are good.
If you want to build a simple programmer build a parallel one. There are several out there. I think Nigel mentions one in his tutorial series.
A PICkit2 or Junebug are even better because they work at USB speeds, use Microchip firmware, and both act as ICDs (In Circuit Debuggers). They will also function as a simple 3 channel logic analyzer.