Nothing seemed to happen when I hit the 'force update' button either. I pressed it first then immediately pressed the 'reset core/hybrid' button. I think the updates had already been downloaded, thats why I got the 'update is ready screen'. Check http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/LinuxMCE_System_Update for info on running the process manually.

I just installed the update. Had a screen pop up saying 'update is ready etc' but there was no yes or no buttons, so i went to advanced and clicked 'force update' then clicked on 'reset core/hybrid'. The update itself went really quick, the longest part was waiting for the orbiter screens to regen and render.
My mythTV version is now 0.20.20070821-1.
It solved the major problem i was having with mythtv, namely video quality. Previously tv (dvb-t, Australia, both SD and HD) showed artefacts of poor signal strength, glitches, blocking etc. There was also some distortion around areas that had fast movement, peoples mouths etc. This was evident in both 'live' tv and pre-recorded shows. That is all gone now, it is just as crisp and clear as my tvs built in tuner. I have only played with it for three minutes so i don't know if recording stability has increased (I previously had some trouble with scheduled recording, but i only have the one tuner so  i may have been asking too much of it in terms of back to back shows, overlapping etc)

from the wiki : http://wiki.linuxmce.com/index.php/Sound_Cards

CARD               CHIP                          TYPE                             PCI                SUBSYTEM       NOTES
NVidia CK804     Realtek ALC850 rev 0     on-board (ASUS A8N-E)     10de:0059     1043:812a     Analog Stereo works, S/PDIF output doesn't work

I'm not real interested in the leadtek remote either, i can't wait to get my hands on a wiimote though. I put off buying a wii so i could buy some hardware to play around with linux mce. Talk about being between a rock and a hard place!

see this thread
http://forum.linuxmce.org/index.php?topic=2230.0

I am using a leadtek dtv1000t at the moment, picked it up from http://www.arc.com.au for AU$53. It comes with a remote, but i don't think it is supported under linux mce yet.

As for foxtel, i dont have it but as darrenmason said the ozTiVo guide has data for it. The leadtek card has analogue (s video) inputs, dont know if it is possible to use both inputs at once, ie record FTA and watch foxtel ( or vice versa).

as an aside, Big W are selling usb bluetooth dongles for about AU$18, beats paying AU$65 for one 

There seem to be a few aussies floating around here, please feel free to add any information you have (about suppliers, gear you use etc) to the wiki page. http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/Information_for_australian_users

see http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/Information_for_australian_users

just rough notes at this stage, hope to flesh it out a bit soon