Hi Wayne,
the Dongle definitely should go into the USB port on your PC. This is how AMulet knows you have bought the program and hence will not give you a 30 minute free trial. The registered product information is kept in the dongle.
I have used the remote control up to eight feet away, in another room and it still worked flawlessly.
I'm not sure what u-verse TV is, but it sounds cool. Does it send the TV stream through your home network or something?
Perhaps the actual Admins and Devs on the site may want to weigh in, but I hope that i have helped a bit.
good luck,
ben