Timelapse photography is kick ass and I am all for them, but I wonder if dedicating an entire computer for this task along with the camera is the right way of going about it (unless overkill is the motive). How about a more compact/cheaper solutions such as an intervalometer for dslr (buy or build one), or if you have a canon p&s camera using the CHDK firmware project http://chdk.wikia.com which offer the intervalometer feature....
This was definitely a case of "this is what I have laying around." It's just set up in my apartment at the moment. I also agree; a hardware solution would be better for taking timelapses out and about -- but there's a ton of cool stuff you can take timelapses of around your house. And more people probably have an extra computer than a shutter timer.