Present and accounted for, sir!
And thanks! My wife suggested that I print out your post and hang it on the wall, and who am I to argue with my wife?
First the simplest answer: NetRemote. You don't need to use the MediaServer for this, that's created for having one central media library and streaming audio/video/images to other computers. Have a look here:
http://www.netremote.orgWith that you can change songs, browse the library and to many other things from a Win32 running computer or a PPC (I have 2 PPCs and I'm waiting for a WinCE webpad as well, I'm totally hooked on this system!).
The larger problem here is the volume control. I have petitioned the gentleman posting above me and his cohorts (well, maybe begged and threatened more than petitioned) but it seems like adjusting zones volume independently through MC is a problem. Which brings us to the probable solution: Girder. Install Girder and use that to control the volume via the kX (not eX, that's SoundBlaster's external connection boxes for Audigy & Audigy 2 sound cards) drivers. I must admit that I haven't done that myself, and that Girder has a slightly steep learning curve. I use the volume control on the receiver/boom box/car stereo instead (I've got three computers running MC with all in all 12 zones, three of those in the car (car stereo and headphones for both kids - and it's in a metal suitcase so I can bring it to any party or anywhere there is a place to plug in power and phono or mini jack plugs, and it has the full backup of my 30K+ MP3 tracks (I had to do backup of all that work, so I decided to do something fun with it)) and I do volume through either the original remote, through NetRemote's use of a unit called an USB-UIRT (which is Universal IR Tranceiver - it both sends and receives signals, so it can control non-computer equipment - very amusing to annoy the kids if they're watching TV to early in the morning!) or even (when pressed) by walking over to the receiver or whatever and pressing the button (very primitive, I agree).
So all in all you should look to NetRemote, and perhaps also Girder (
http://www.girder.nl) for your needs. And you could have a look at my webpage to see how I have arranged my system (it's slightly outdated since I have bought the USB-UIRT since it was created, but who wants to do website work in the summertime?). It may even give you some good ideas. Right now it's running like a multi-zone multi-dollar system from any of the big names at a fraction of the cost. I wonder if even Bill Gate$ has a multi-zone sound system in his car...