You can transfer files to the Edison using scp. Adding NFS shouldn't be too difficult I wouldn't imagine.
As for the configuration issues. I think most if not all of them have been fixed in the latest firmware. I built the firmware from the source distribution, so I'm not sure it's the same as the latest released version. Configuration management is another thing that could use more documentation...
I'm not sure what you need schematics for. The drivers for all the internal hardware is provided, and the external interfaces are all standard (SPI, I2C, etc), but it sounds like you don't need those. Having more information on the Quark would be very nice, and they've promised it by the end of the year.
I would feel much more comfortable with a more standard (Debian/Ubuntu) based distribution, which I'm (slowly) working on. A lack of documentation on e.g. the exact boot sequence and recovery procedure (I asked about where the DFU interface resides) make me a bit cautious about jumping in with both feet.