Guess what I'm getting for Christmas? A HUB! Poor people with old or cheap computers can have it on TOP of the computer, in the light, plugged into the back permanently! Cheap ones cost about US$5.
My current solution is four wires permanently plugged in (to the back) and taped to the computer. This ensures that you don't brush against the thumb drive or bluetooth drive and wreck it, as you can with front or side ports.

I do have a front tray to fit into the thing with 4 USB ports, earphone, mike and soundcard sockets. Unfortunately they are USB1 ports, which is why the tray is still in a box, and not between the CD and DVD drives.