two electrical questions

[mechanicalbrain]

i wanted to use the accelerometer on the robot but we had one (i thought that i must have lost one becuase as i understand it they work on one axis so what would be the point of sending one). then after looking at the parts list i realised they only sent one. is there something im not understanding? if anyone used them or knows how to wire them please help. my other question involves the operator interface. im making a nice control board and want to make a row of toggle switches (about 6-10) and some push buttons (4 or so) as well as a control device containing 3 potentiometers but the electrical guides first provides only talks about using them on port 3. so... im wondering what i can do to the other ports and how to wire the electrical components to the serial conector (i asume their are other ways than first talks about). the material first provided was this.