As for the 3.1 ROM chips, I don't know exactly if it is the proper thing to ask here, but I'll try anyhow, please let me know if I am breaking any forum rules. Where do I get the 3.1 ROMs & 3.x WORKBENCH?
Asking where to get them is not against the forum rules IIRC. To ask where to download them would be another matter.
Softkicking (placing a copy of a new ROM in RAM) is possible, but this takes 512k of RAM, so it's not something I'd recomend on a 5-meg system. Also, it ain't legal! :-)
Your best bet would be to buy the ROMs (bundled with the OS in most cases) either used, or from a local Amiga-dealer.
Unfortunately, I read somewhere that there is no way for me to hook up any kind of Ethernet network, is that true, or is there a way around it?
Well,
Normally, you would have to use the side expansion slot to do this. You have an accelerator there, so this isn't doable.
There is a way to work around this, but it won't be easy. I haven't done it myself, but
in theory it is possible:
The A1200 has an internal port called the clock port. It was originally designed for fitting a simple RTC, but clever engineers soon figured out ways of putting other type of hardware on it.
It is possible to put a clock-port in the A500, using a
special adapter. You can then connect a
USB-card on this. Using the USB-card, you could either connect an
Ethernet expansion, or a simple USB-ethernet adapter.
This would require a lot of work, however, and I'm not sure if it would fit in the machine.
It would be somewhat similar to THIS, however a different clockport adapter was used.
