So I have to install the Firefly software, does it load the profiles for Media Center or is there modifications needed. Doc's don't really specify.
You do NOT need to install the Firefly software. The alternative is to download the "regular" drivers from Snapstream and install those instead,
IF you're going to use Girder or something else to program the remote.
However, even for using Girder, I found that installing the Firefly software (and then disabling it by closing it and removing it from my Startup folder) was better. It seemed to work better and it made doing "utility" things (like changing the default channel on the remote) easier.
So, the way I did it was to install the Firefly software just as suggested in the manual/website. Then, once it was up and working, I closed out of the Firefly software completely (it'll warn you that the remote will stop working, which is true), and then I kill the program out of "auto-startup". I think it was just in the Start menu Start folder, but it might have been in the Registry.
Then, set it up using Girder. People tell me that they're now actually including my GML file for MC with Girder, so it might be in there already when you download it (just open it out of your GML file folder). If not, you can grab it over on the 3rd Party forum here. Once you've opened the GML file, you simply have to assign my "actions" to an "event" from your remote (by choosing which buttons trigger which event). I've programmed it, but your remote might be different (or you might want it to work differently).
However, if you
ARE NOT going to use Girder (or something similar) then you need to have the Firefly software running or the remote won't function. Basically, the software does two things:
1) Installs a driver, which tells the computer how to
receive the signals from the remote. This function cannot be replaced by Girder (though the remote is just a fancy X10 remote, and any old X10 driver will work).
2) Installs the Firefly "interpreter" software, which takes the signals it receives from the remote and actually turns these into actions and events on the computer. Without this, the remote won't actually "do" anything. This is the function that can be replaced by Girder. If you choose not to, the Firefly software can actually be reprogrammed itself to do more advanced things, but it is not very user friendly. Check the Snapstream forums for more info. If you choose to use Girder, then you can't have the Firefly software running (installed/not is up to you) or the two "interpreters" will fight over it.