I've started watching the TV show "House", and I don't mind it, but I've already noticed something after just a couple of episodes, that will likely stop me watching it.

 

A comment on slashdot today sums the show up nicely:

I purchased a YaoCoo MCE remote from Ebay, as it was cheaper than a real one, however, getting it to work with MediaPortal was a bit of a hassle. Fortunately the internet came to the rescue and I have a fully functioning, customisable remote now.

You need:

• the KeyboardInputPlugin for MediaPortal
• the keyboard.xml from this post (using this file saves you mapping all the keys yourself)

Installation:

• Install the KeyboardInputPlugin (follow the instructions in the plugin, though you don't need to copy the keyboard.xml file as we will use the one above)
• Copy keyboard.xml to \[your MediaPortal directory]\InputDeviceMappings\defaults\.

The remote should work now. You can change the button assignments if you want by using the KeyboardInputPlugin configuration in the MediaPortal configuration.

This information was taken from:

• http://forum.team-mediaportal.com/support-123/off-brand-remote-play-pause-ff-etc-not-working-30682/
• http://forum.team-mediaportal.com/plugins-47/generic-keyboard-remote-input-plugin-25755/

After going back to Windows XP, in preparation for playing C&C3:Kane's Wraith, I do miss the graphical bells-and-whistles other OS's provide. I'm looking at alternatives. The major ones being: Gnome 2.20 / Ubuntu 8.04, KDE 4 / Kunbuntu 8.04, Windows Vista or stick with Windows XP and add SP3.

 

 

I don't mind Gnome, but have a few issues with it - such as file dialogs and icons. I think I'd be happy with it.

 

 

In general, I like the style of KDE better than Gnome, however, I'm not ready to use it in it's current state. I'll look again when 4.1 gets released.

 

 

Whilst it's a simple option to move up to Vista, knowing all the programs and being able to play games, I don't like the Aero look. The $139 price tag for Home Premium is much better than before. Still, it's $139 more than the other options here.

 

 

The other option is to stick with Windows XP and obviously update to SP3 when it's released. No significant changes with SP3 and the same old graphic options.

 

Decisions, decisions...