Real quick - my apologies. I am on the end of a software project right now and I was getting it all wrapped up yesterday. I should be done today and I'll make up the list.
AMD's are mostly fine for what you're doing today. I will lean toward Pentium 4, but you will spend extra money for it.
USB 2.0 is rated to 480 Megabits per second. USB 1.1 is rated for 12 Megabits per second. Much more than 10 times faster.
Definitely go for a 19" flat monitor. I'd get a flat screen, not a flat panel. The difference is that one is a CRT with a flat screen, the other is an LCD (flat panel). 19" flat CRT's can actually be found at Wal Mart for not too expensive, but they <b>do</b> add to the cost of a system. I will still try and work it in.