@cyrux get the WinLIRC compatible remotes list from http://lirc.sourceforge.net/remotes/. Just try any remote u have with u. I've seen even cheap chinese DVD player remotes to work with WinLIRC. So gettting a compatible remote will not be a problem
Hmm...interesting thing to do... any ways i got my P III out (ol'd cpu) for the serial port .. but my current remotes bpl (tv) and nikai (dvd player) dont seem to be working with these .. dont know if its a circuit fault or incompatible remotes. ... @ mod-the-pc , could be you please mention the exact model no. of akai remote which worked (like RC-xxx)
Also if you have more good tutorials as such please post them too