TiVo weekend

I am returning from a very nice and exceptionally long 4th of July weekend. I got to see the fireworks, saw thousands of motorcycles at Hollister (pictures coming soon), and (drums, please) managed to set up a TiVo player. And let me tell you: it sure wasn't easy. I should have read a recent article published in the San Jose Mercury News:
"A device's hassle-factor can be instantly determined by counting the number of cords. Coffee maker, alarm clock, microwave oven: one cord, no waiting. Telephone, fax machine: sometimes two. No problem. Usually. Home computers: five cords. More challenging. But the connections are color-coded, so all but the color-blind can handle this with aplomb. TiVo: six cords [...]"
I should have also paid more attention to what the sales guy said: "Installation is relatively easy. You will be ready to go within 1 1/2 hours." Relatively easy.
So there I was, struggling to understand the set-up approach, struggling with the voice-controlled activation routine (via phone), struggling to figure out the infrared codes that magically control the cable box via the TiVo remote control. Only four hours later, the puzzle was solved. Even the VCR and DVD player were working again.
Once TiVo is set-up, however, your life really does change for the better. (Ok, you also have to buy into the TiVo versus LiveTV (TM) philosophy - but that's why you got TiVo in the first place, right?) As they say in the TiVo Forum: "If TiVo keeps telling you that it needs to change the channel to record something, you're watching too much live TV."
Related link: the very helpful TiVo Forum FAQ