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I've played around with remote & automated. Back when my telescope was actually working (insert violin playing some sad music) most of my astronomy for the last year or so was done remotely or while I slept (same deal).
It's certainly nice being able to be inside where it's warm, where the tv is, where my partner is and to do things like the cooking.
I did have to spend a while setting it all up, getting the auto-focusing callibrated, the autoguider calibrated, the polar alignment spot on, the software all talking to each other, etc. But it was worth it in the end.
Hopefully it won't be long before I'm back to it.
I didn't have to automate the roof because it's a roll-off, and I used MS Remote Desktop for mine. I did make sure that if I were leaving it running I left it logged on, on the actual observatory computer, not "logged off in limbo" if you know what I mean. That sometimes caused problems if I left it all running in the background without an actual login active on the PC (either remote or local).
Oh, and I used wireless to my laptop, so I can have the laptop where ever - kitchen & couch were the usual locations.
It doesn't cost a lot if it's what you want to do, but I don't spend money one eyepieces and other stuff.
Roger.
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