Spootmeister

Apologies if this is in the wrong forum. I'm from the U.S. and am considering getting the PC version of CT. I've read that GFWL is used to facilitate cross-platform play with Xbox 360 players, but I'm wondering how PC-to-PC play is done. Does it also use GFWL, or is there something that needs to be modified to get it work? Also, does it rely on a third-party host or other online system (other than GFWL, maybe provided by the developer or publisher?), or can my friend and I play with GFWL being the only non-game interference factor?

I just got #Reload for PC off of Good Old Games and, despite having been a PC gamer for years now (though this is my first fighting game on PC), I'm finding the keyboard inadequate. I'm not looking for expensive control solutions, so most of the good arcade sticks are out. I should be perfectly comfortable playing the game with a gamepad, however. I'm wanting a wired one that would be good for fighting games in general, not necessarily just for Guilty Gear. Also, I'm pretty new at fighting games, so I'm not very demanding of control perfection, anyway. Most of what I'm seeing recommended consists of Sega Saturn and 6-button Sega Genesis USB controllers, though of the former, I'm only really seeing ones from Gtron and Retro-Link that appear to be of spotty build quality. For #Reload, at least, I'm open to pads with four face buttons (as the Dust function could probably go on a shoulder button without much discomfort). I have an old 6-button Genesis pad that I could buy a USB adapter for, but I'm not sure what condition the controller is in, so I'd rather not rely on this option exclusively. From cheap, but decent, arcade sticks to good-quality gamepads, what would you recommend for me? Please provide URL's to your recommendations. Thanks in advance!