configuring irda--simple, step-by-step instructions?

[DrZoidberg]

Can this be had someplace? There are about a million things in the kernel config I can say yes or no to and the howtos are as clear as mud. Also there are loads of strange /dev/irWHATSITXX devices to choose from. I'm surprised there aren't instructions on this in the gentoo docs, which are usually of much higher quality than linux howtos. All I want to do is be able to sync my T21 thinkpad running jpilot and my Palm.