Simple Q&A D&D 3.5 (by RAW) XXI

[willpell]

Q444
Looking for clarification on the Goliath's (and Half-Giant's) Powerful Build ability as it pertains to Large weapons. It states that such a weapon may be used "without penalty", but not all the effects of an inappropriately sized weapon are negative. Quoted from the PHB:

Inappropriately Sized Weapons: A creature can’t make optimum use of a weapon that isn’t properly sized for it. A cumulative –2 penalty applies on attack rolls for each size category of difference between the size of its intended wielder and the size of its actual wielder. Thus, a human wielding a Small dagger takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls (one size category different), and an ogre wielding a Small longsword takes a –4 penalty (two size categories different). If the creature isn’t proficient with the weapon (a wizard attempting to wield a Small battleaxe, for instance), a –4 nonproficiency penalty also applies.

This part is obviously negated by Powerful Build; what's less clear is the next part.

The measure of how much effort it takes to use a weapon
(whether the weapon is designated as a light, one-handed, or two-handed weapon for a particular wielder) is altered by one step for each size category of difference between the wielder’s size and the size of the creature for which the weapon was designed. For instance, a Small greatsword (a two-handed weapon for a Small creature) is considered a one-handed weapon for a Medium creature, or a light weapon for a Large creature. Conversely, a Large dagger (a light weapon for a Large creature) is considered a one-handed weapon for a Medium creature, or a two-handed weapon for a Small creature. If a weapon’s designation would be changed to something other than light, one-handed, or two-handed by this alteration, the creature can’t wield the weapon at all.

The last sentence indicates that if this clause always applied, a Goliath couldn't ever use a Large two-handed weapon, and the first Goliath NPC in Races of Stone is described with a Large greataxe, so obviously the authors intended that the Goliath could ignore this clause. What's not clear is whether he must.

So here's the question. If a Goliath wishes to wield a Light weapon sized for a Large creature the same way any other Medium creature would (wielding it as a One-Handed weapon, and thus being free to add his full Strength bonus and to Power Attack with it), does he have that option? If so, is he required to accept the penalty from the first clause of the quoted rules?

Q445
Are there any ways to satify the Caster Level requirements to take the various Craft Magic Item feats without actually having spellcasting levels? Some variant of Use Magic Device? Will the caster level of Spell-Like Abilities work?