Help with turning iPod into Universal Remote

Okay so I've read this article: http://features.engadget.com/2004/07/27/how-to-turn-your-ipod-in-to-a-universal-infrared-remote-control/

This outlines how by using recordings of the Infrared Signals your TV remote sends out, you can then play thos recordings on your ipod which are then turned back into signals by using the griffin Total Remote.

Then found this site which shows a different method of getting the infrared signals: http://www.codeproject.com/KB/mobile/PocketBeamer.aspx

And i want to do it to but i have no background in this and i've come into a jew crossroads i need help with...

1. They don't sell griffin Total Remotes, i'm attempting to make one but have no clue which wire is positive or negative.
2. How to get infrared codes for my remote control and put them into PRONTO CFF format
3. Using the program from above to convert the codes into *.wav format

1. I stole 2 Infrared LED's from an old remote and got an old set of iPod Headphones(Why use iPod headphones? because i needed a stereo plug so i have both the "Left and Right") This is where i come into my first cross road, i pealed the rubber around the ipod cord and it gave me a green wire and a red with green striped wire. Which one is the positive wire and which one is the negative wire?

2. Anyone know how i get infrared codes for my remote control?

3. I dont have a PocketPC so how do i use the program they give?

Hope that makes sense. I'm stuck in completing this.

Thanks mgmz

Oh and if i can get this working i was going to work on developing an iTouch app so its automated instead of playing the different sounds and then using LIRC use my iTouch to control my computer.. But i dont want to get to ahead of myself