Sorry for the delayed response...
I have no experience using a parallel port programmer (my laptop has no parallel port) but this MIGHT actually work.
Make sure that you indeed have a parallel port first. No point in buying it if you can't use it. You would probably need to use avrdude or ponyprog for this to work. Use ponyprog first because I think it'll be easier to use due to GUI. Try this site:
http://www.siphec.com/HOWTO/AVR%20HOWTO/index.html the instructions are specific to the use of a parallel port AVR programmer. If you don't have a parallel port get one of those serial port programmer types or those USB types.
Also Sparkfun stocks a similar product:
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=13 Take you pick. If want you can build one yourself, get the parts from Radioshack or your favorite supplier and hack away. Search the Net for instructions on making your own since there's no point in reinventing the wheel here. (dunk has a link pointing you in the right direction in one of his replies).
Good luck.
- Rommel
