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[codefinger]

I came to X-10 and ActiveHome first because I have a single fan/light in my fireplace room turned on by a pull switch (no wall switches available).  I am planning to remove the fan/light and replace it with a chandelier.  I am also going to put up two additional ceiling lights.  I want all the lights to be dimmable and I want a switch on the wall that looks like an ordinary light switch.  From what I know so far, I will need XPDF and SS13A.   Will I need anything else...like an individual module for each light, or can all three be connected and programmed to work with the same XPDF?   
Also, the idea of controlling the house from my computer appeals to the geek in me (I am a computer programmer), but I would love to initiate actions from within my own program.   Once an ActiveHome macro is created, can the file be located and launched from a double-click from outside ActiveHome...the scenario I imagine is MyProgram.exe lauches ActiveHomeMacro.scr.   The macro does its work then the last line in the macro closes ActiveHome, returning control to my program.  Is there any reason this could not work?  (I know I might be able to use the ActiveHome sdk, but if the scenario I described works, that becomes unnecessary.)

Also, if I have my lights installed, THEN later install ActiveHome on my PC, will it automatically find and register my lights for control?

Please pardon my density, I am very new to this.

Thanks in advance for your kind attention to these questions. 

I appreciate any and all responses.

[Brian H]

You will need a module to receive the RF command from the SS13 {battery operated coin cell power} and put it on the power line for the XPDF to receive.
Now if you get AHP with the CM15A it can receive the RF signal. Bare bones would add a TM751 or RR501 to receive the RF signal.

The XPDF is for incandescent bulbs only so the lights would have to be that type. LEDs; CFL; CCFLs would need a non dimming module like the XPFM.

You could use one module if you can get the wiring from the XPDF module in the main light fixture to the other two locations and if the total wattage of the lights is less than 300 watts.
A module in each one would also work as all three could have the same address.