See the Girder website, below, for more links to possible solutions.
You could always buy a Slink-E or something similar which lets you use any old remote you have lying around to control your computer.
Alternatively, if you like the do-it-yourself technique, see the WinLIRC homepage on Sourceforge <
winlirc.sourceforge.net>. The website features a small piece of software which will recognize IR codes received from a homebuilt IR detector which plugs into your serial port, with links to how to build such an IR detector (and/or transmitter). I had almost no experience with building electronics or soldering, but I was able to get one working in an afternoon after a trip down to Radio Shack (I wonder if there's an Argentine equivalent?).
Either way, whether you buy a detector or build one, you'll need some kind of automation software (though if you buy a package, it will likely come with it). Either way, Girder <
www.proximis.com> is very good, very robust, but unfortunately no longer free.
Now I use an old all-in-one remote I had lying around to control my TV, DVD player, audio system, *and* computer, and it works rather seamlessly.
This way, if you don't mind trading off ease of initial setup, you can get any combination of size and features you like, with nearly infinite expandability, and *never* any driver stability issues if you change hardware.
