Just like most other Media Center hounds, the primary key to being able to slap my creation into the family room for daily use was gaining spousal approval.  The Wife Acceptence Factor is something that can not be measured in terms of a "score" rather just an overall usability gut feeling.  The one piece of the puzzle that did more than any other was my Harmony remote.  While I went with a basic 360 model, there are several others that provide a lot more "Wow!" factor, including the (drool) 1000.  However, I love my 360 and it provides all the functionality for the LW (little woman) to be happy.

Now..the issue.  I hate needing to have the keyboard and mouse kicking around as well.  Even with the RDC hack in place to provide remote desktop functionality without interrupting the current viewing, every now and then I need the keyboard and/or mouse.  So, we have to have the remote, as well asn the keyboard/mouse handy, creating clutter and spousal frowning.  Initially, I liked the idea of MS' original MCE keyboard, however, the lack of universal controls steered me away from it.  Now, MS has the 8000 model out and, while it's incredibly slick looking and provides some cool features, it's missing several key ingrediants.  Experience in talking with other MC users tells me that a lot of us are pumping everything through our surround amp, so we'd need access to the volume control on the amp.  Additionally, we need to turn everything on and off...again, we'd need access to those features as well.  Although my Vista MC provides me with TV, movie, music, and pretty much all of my media related functions, I still have other devices I'd like to use with a single remote, such as my XBox 360.   This keyboard provides none of these functions.

After that frustration, I went over to look at the specs for the Harmony creator's alternative solution to this issue, the DiNovo Edge keyboard. Sweet product, no doubt, and this being another Logitech product, surely they gave it some of the same smarts as the Harmony, no?  Uhhh, no.  Again, the basic remote key assignment and macro programming are just not there.  I find it hard to believe that no one has decided to come up with a keyboard that would perform the same functions as my Harmony, and still give me the option to use it as a keyboard.  Granted, I'm not certain that the LW would approave of a keyboard as the primary controlling device, but how about giving me the option.  Perhaps a full keyboard, with a side-car detachable remote.  Oh well, for now I'll be content with what I've got, but a full feature Media Center keyboard would be incredibly sweet.