[lug] geeky remote control coolness with amaroK

[Alan Robertson]

amaroK is a really slick media player.  I've never seen anything close 
to it in features for Linux.  And, recent versions are stable :-)

I recently spent about a half hour or so figuring out how to control it 
with my stereo's remote control and airman hardware (about $35).

You can do much more than this with the amarok DCOP API, but here are 
the functions I can do w/the unused buttons on the remote I had handy:
	pause
	stop
	play
	skip to next song
	skip to previous song
	skip ahead (5|10) seconds
	skip back (5|10) seconds
	toggle on-screen display of playlist

Now I can pause music easily when the phone rings (and not fumble around 
trying to find the right window on the right desktop and click on the 
proper button with my mouse).  [Pause is much better than mute because 
the playlist doesn't go on without me].

For those who are interested, the details are here:
http://amarok.kde.org/wiki/index.php/FAQ#How_can_I_control_amaroK_with_a_remote_control.3F

This will work with basically any type of remote control.  Pick some 
buttons on it you're not using (or buy one of the remote controls from 
the airman people).

With the explanation on the web, it will probably take the average 
person who can compile things from source about 15 minutes from start to 
finish (including training it using your remote).

-- 
     Alan Robertson <alanr at unix.sh>

"Openness is the foundation and preservative of friendship...  Let me 
claim from you at all times your undisguised opinions." - William 
Wilberforce