LIRC (Linux Infrared remote control) is an open source package that allows users to receive and send infrared signals with a Linux-based computer system.
There is a Microsoft Windows equivalent of LIRC called WinLIRC.
With LIRC and an IR receiver the user can control their computer with almost any infrared remote control (e.g. a TV remote control). The user may for instance control DVD or music playback with their remote control.
One GUI frontend is KDELirc, built on the KDE libraries.