One reason very few have bothered writing software for the IRDA port is that on most laptops it isn't designed with anywhere near the range that common remote controls have. What good is a remote control if you have to sit within 4' of the device?

That's also why the above link leads you to a source for both a way to get IR commands into your PC and instructions for making a device to get those commands out of the PC.

TOM: what are your pentium touch screens and where did you get them? I'm looking for a touchscreen pad PC I can use on the couch, preferably with 802.11b wireless netowking built in. It would be nice if it had a 20 year uranium battery in it, too. ;-)

Dave