Log Shipping VS Replication

I need some help on SQL server log shipping.

we have about 4 different SQL Servers (sql 2000 standard) where each server has about 7 databases. We wanted to have a disaster recovery plan where there will be a single sql2000 standard server as a standby server. we wanted to have all other sqlserver databases
(about 7x4) replicated or logshipped to the remote standby server.

We thought about to have all the databases logshipped to the standby server. But since the sql server we have are Standard servers, we thought about using Simple Logshipping tool in the resource kit.

Each server databases are having full backup in the morining and there will be transaction log backup every hour. and then it will be overwritten on the following morings full backup and then the transaction log.

1) the problem we have now is if we go with the Stand by server, we need to modify the daily backup plan to have just one full backup and then the incremental transaction log backup(otherwise standby won't be syncronized). we need to have the backups done as per the backup plan we currently have. Can you please advice me on how can we achive this?

2) If you think the replication is the better one, please direct me on which replication is best and can you also please advice me if we do replication how hard it is to administer replication as well as other adminitration task???

I am little bit hesistant to go with replication as it might create more problem when there is any other problems. (Note: these servers are all Prductions servers)

Thanks for your help.
--Ragulan