[Gr8rtek]

I seem to see a lot about smart phones as a remote. Does this not require either blue tooth, or wireless networking?
If not, I have an older out of service smart phone that I use for my alarm clock, and camera around the home, but not much else. I do not have wireless or blue tooth in my home, other than my new smart phone.

Yes, you will need to connect your smart phone via wireless to the same network as your running XBMC computer

[PugsofAus]

Or get a high end all in one remote i have at-least two options my smart phone or my lenovo "paint scraper" wireless keyboard.

I'm far from being uber geek but getting this sorted isn't that hard. Personally I've only been running xbmc for just over twelve months loving all the awesomeness of having art work and all the cool features that is XBMC (love your work devs)