Can I use switches in a 4-way setup?

Yes, both the original 3-way switch and decora from x10 can do that with an extra slave switch. See X10 product manual for details on how. This diagram is for the decora, but the old chiclet switch should work the same way (someone let me know if not!!).

Can I tell if a switch or module is on or off via the computer?

You need special modules to do this. Leviton, SmartLinc and PCS sell wall switches that can be polled by most computer controllers do report the state. The catch is that the switches are upwards of fifty dollars. But for your money, you get true rocker action, instead of push on, push off.

Hey, X10 tricked me... those inexpensive "rocker" switches from X10 aren't really rockers are they!

That's right, they operate just like the normal X10 square button switches, but they look a bit better. An improvement, but the assumption when you're new to this is that they operate as a rocker, up for on, down for off. But that's not the case.

Why won't my firecracker work with more than one house code?

The firecracker is really just a wireless transmitter. It can transmit all the house codes, the limit is that the receiver you have is set to only one house code, and can hear just that one.

The solution would be to buy another receiver for each house code you want to use. This could get expensive... the X10 CM11A module transmits all codes via the wall socket.

Why can't my computer automation program hear X10 codes being sent from other remotes in the house, I'm using a firecracker.

Your firecracker can't hear anything, it's only a transmitter. You would need a two way controller like the CM11A from X10 or the CPUXA.

I hate to buy a reciever for every house code I have, what can I do?

X10 has an interface that can hear all codes! The MR26A is used in some of the kits for audio, like boom2000 and others. But HomeSeer has an add in that can use it to hear all house codes, and actually react faster. Check my review here on it for more info.

If you don't use a computer for home automation, you're stuck with the standard radio recievers, and need one per house code, bah!

Why does my x10 wireless hawkeye motion sensor sometimes turn on the next code also? How do I stop that!

The motions sensors can also send on when it's light out, and off when dark. This gets sent to the next code. So if you have it set to A1, A2 will get send for light changes. Unfortunately this is often undesireable indoors, especially since the light you are controlling with it is in view!

To stop that , the easiest way is to modify it physically. Open it up, and look for the sensor... which is the one to the right. Clip the wire and you're done. This also makes the batteries last a bit longer it seems. (Let me know if this would be clearer with pics).