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Some years ago I added a device like this to a BSD box that I used as a NFS server in my home network. There are several projects like this available in internet using different microcontrollers. Simply map the terminal push buttons to perform some useful commands (like starting a safe reboot script), and you have an emergency exit for your box. You might also try this: start a VNC server on your box at boot time, and set up as well a network connection using either the serial port or better a USB port (using usbnet). This should allow you to access the system X display through USB/serial. I am afraid however that there is not an easy solution for accessing remotely the BIOS screen before the OS starts.

Well if you can record the call (and phone boxes aren't hard to tap, though I'm not sure how exactly it would work at a call center) then it's easy to convert the DTMF tones into numbers using a tone decoder.

Here's a link to a DIY hardware version: http://www.bobblick.com/techref/projects/tonedec/tonedec.html And a quick search should turn up software solutions, or you could write one yourself since the tones are standard. Wiki lists all the tones: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DTMF#Keypad

Reminds me of propeller clocks (also here, here, here...)
...or the similar mechanically scanned displays.
Spacewriter sells some very cool full-color displays. Their iBall 3D display is also sold at AudioVisualizers - check their site out for more animated demos.
There's also the Virtual Game System (Google cache) which was amazing; unfortunately the site is down so you'll have to settle for text and no pictures.

That nice guy Bob Block has an article entitled How to build your own Stirling Engine -- powered by a votive candle! It sounds cheap, easy, and fun; just like me.

Dave Barrett's Clock

The Original - Bob Blick's Clock

Luberth Dijkman's Clock

Andrew Jardine's Clock

Ken Staton's Clock

Victor Tihonov's Clock

Don Zehnder's Clock

Come one, build a clock, join the club!
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Actually, yes, the programmer. Or you can build one with Bob's instructions here. This is probably not the kind of programmer you were thinking of, though. :)