You know, I've read this whole thread and I've got some stuff to add actually. Oddly, I've come here for a while to get the Mega Code lists and such, but haven't really actively participated until now. I run a small CI, so not only do I do the programming for the most part, but also all the business and PM side. I do completely with the policy. There's lots of precident not only for remotes/controls, but other stuff as well to show how allowing full open access is not a good idea. You just end up with unqualified people doing their own thing, then they jam the tech support because they don't know what they're doing, and then they tell everyone that the product sucks when it's really their shortcomings that are the issue.

We do everything from A/V to security to phone systems, to lighting control. All of which have software that's not available to joe schmoe, but it's the controls that are the only ones people get mad about not being available. You can't even get a dealership with Panasonic for phone systems without being factory certified, much less getting the software. I will say that there have been other systems I've done that the homeowner wanted the software to play with, and I installed it on his computer for him. That being said, it came with a huge caveat that if he screwed something up he would have to pay us to come fix it. That fix is likely to take longer than whatever change he was trying to make in the first place too. I did have to go back once and fix something he messed up, and he hasn't touched the programming since then. I also didn't give him and installable version of the software, merely loaded it on his home desktop computer for him.

There are so many pitfals in an integrated system that it's not even funny, down to purchasing the proper brands and models of equipment so that they can be controlled and automated properly. Let someone feel free to try automating a cheap Wal Mart special Sony LCD TV with any kind of remote and they should quickly see why there's a method to our madness on these things and what they're actually paying us to do and to know.