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Preface
speech. This project uses no-cost software, but you can spend a little money
on good speech synthesis software to make it really cool.
Part II, Home Entertainment
Chapter 5, Remotely Control Your Computer (written by Eric Faulkner),
introduces you to soldering. You’ll build a simple circuit from easy-to-
obtain parts that allows you to control your PC using any infrared remote.
You’ll teach your PC how to access your digital media library while you kick
back on the couch. There’s a Linux version and a Windows version of this
project. If you want to continue on to the next project (recommended), you
should complete the Windows version.
Chapter 6, Control Your Home Theater (written by Eric Faulkner), is anoth-
er hardware project that’s slightly more difficult than the previous one but
still fairly easy to complete. In this project you’ll be scripting the control of
any devices that respond to infrared remote controls. If you have too many
remote controls on your coffee table, this allows you to do everything with
one remote, without having to switch modes.
Chapter 7, Build a Windows-Based Home Theater PC (written by Eric
Faulkner), is a more complex software integration project with unique PC
hardware requirements. This chapter gives step-by-step instructions on how
to assemble a PC for use in this and the next project. You’ll be creating a
computer that integ