How to transmit infrared from my laptop?

[vickyg2003]

I originally started using this forum, to turn an old laptop into an internet appliance. Many puppies have been able to run on my old Toshiba Satellite and given me an excellent internet experience. I particularly like Lucid 5.25 and 4.3.1 small.

After a month of using puppyt, I find I am only using this laptop to browse the TV Guide and IMDB while watching TV. Now that I've found how I'm going to use this computer, I'd like to add the ability to send out infrared signals to control the cable company DTA to change channels on a schedule with this computer.

I assume that there are Linux home theater apps for more powerful machines that have applications that do this but my machine is really limited (specs listed below). I assume this requires LIRC and some sort of USB IR transmitter.

I've been hunting around but my search results are not turning anything up.

My hardware
Toshiba Satellite 9300
Processor Celeron 700 MHz
Installed Memory 192 (SDRAM) Maxed out
Hard Drive 10 GB IDE 6GB Free
Display 13 in. DSTN Passive Matrix 800x600 24 bit color
Operating System Microsoft Windows ME
Weight 6.84 lb.
Processor Intel Celeron
Processor Speed 700 MHz
Motherboard
Bus Speed 100 MHz
Installed Cache Memory 128 KB
CD / DVD Type CD-ROM
Optical Drive Read Speed 24x (CD)
Floppy Drive 3.5" 1.44 MB floppy
Video
Installed Video Memory 4 MB
External Video Resolution 1280 x 1024
Audio
Audio Output Type Sound card
Operating System
Operating System Microsoft Windows ME
Platform PC
Technical Features
Input Method Accupoint II • Keyboard
Modem
Modem Type Fax / Modem
Analog Modulation Protocol ITU V.90
2 PCMCIA slots (1 occupied with wireless card)
2 USB ports

Any ideas ?