I have been downloading quite a few of the configs here to see how people execute their ideas. My remote rcc works fine but as always I can't stop messing with it as it's fun and I like to try new things out.

The question, as per title, is simple.

Does the inclusion of variables or the use of aliases actually benefit the end user interface, with reference to speed or page transition?

Thanks

The direct answer to your question is no, but speed and page transition are not the purpose of either of these features.

Aliases make programming easier by centralizing the locations of stored IR codes. In many setups, this also reduces memory usage.

Variables allow you to to many things, such as track the states of various functions, turn images on and off, create complex interactive animations, or many other applications.

Is there any further information on how/why an alias is used?

Aliasing is like making a shortcut on your computer desktop (or an ... alias, if you're running OS X); or a more granular version of Punch-Through. It might be fairer to say that Punch-Through is a way of creating multiple aliases across multiple devices at one time.

Example 1 [longwinded]: I'll use aliasing for DVD players on the MX-850 or MX-900 when the IR database puts codes for Next Chapter (-->) and Previous Chapter (<--) on the LCD screen. I don't like having LCD space taken up by those commands when the Channel buttons have no code assigned to them at all, so I alias the Next/Prev commands to the CH+/CH-. Then I can move the <-- and --> to a hidden page in that device. Need to learn a code?

(I'll do the same for CD players, Blu-Ray, and any other disc-based device (iPods, too) because, in my experience, the Channel & Volume buttons are the easiest to find on URC remotes. I figure they ought to do something as often as possible, & changing tracks/chapters on a disc is fairly analogous to changing channels.)

Example 2 [short]: You want to be able to toggle receiver's surround modes while operating any device. Create a button "SOUND" on every device page and alias it to your receiver's "Surround Mode" code.

In both cases, change the IR code at the source, and the alias will follow.