If you're thinking of building some DIY home automation, this looks like an interesting idea. At the heart is a PIC16F84 that decodes IR signals and controls six outputs - in this case, relays to activate various appliances. The PIC is dirt cheap - if you get a deal on some relays you should be able to build a small local IR HA system for $30... This might be just the thing for my office. It's cheap enough that it probably wouldn't walk off.
http://www.hackaday.com/2008/06/07/ir-controlled-relays/