I'll have to take that picture your looking for, as I dont have one.
The solder points are just on one side of each switch.

The first question is actually related to the second.

The Standard parallel port (and think of the number of Computer MFG's out there) implemented does not have enough pull-up or pull-down to drive (and again, think of the number of Remote Controllers MFG's out there, ie clones) the remote control.

In other words, the parallel port toggles logical 1's and 0's. Which do not always translate to a +5volts and a Ground.

The CCRC_NoxBox can take that logical signal and translate it into a full pull-down to ground. (also tying a common ground between the computer and the remote control)

So, yes there might be A computer out there, that can drive A remote control. But that's a lottery.

-Nox