Hello, Abby, and welcome aboard!
To quote a previous post I made, you have found a GREAT place get the info you need to support the hobby, business, obsession - whatever you want to call it! The wealth of knowledge that is openly shared on this forum is phenomenal, and frequently includes postings by not just hobbyists, but some of the top names in the laser show and laser manufacturing industries! AND, it doesn't cost a penny!! (Until you start looking too closely at the group buy section
).
I've only been on this forum for about a year now, and it's taken me from very little hands-on knowledge ("Dude - cool laser pointer!"), to many helpful suggestions towards building my first laser projector (950mw RGB, in progress...). And, unlike many other hobby-related open forums, I've seen very little "flaming" or "newbie bashing" going on here - most of it has been very friendly encouragement and advice! In fact, the only reason I've achieved "Senior" status here is because I've asked SO many questions along the way, and I don't think a single one has gone unanswered!!
Concerning LivePro - I've been tinkering with it for a while now, using the LivePro USB version that was available for awhile for the Pangolin Flashback 3 (FB3) controller, which is the controller I am using for the projector I am building. (This version of LivePro is basically the same as the full-blown retail version available from Pangolin, except it does not support any TTL/DMX trigger outputs, which aren't available on the standard FB3 board anyway).
LivePro is designed for real-time, live performance with laser projectors, and is an INCREDIBLY powerful software package with a lot of capabilities. I found the best way to learn to use the software was just to work my way through the help file that comes with the software, and as it mentions a feature, try it out! Also, you don't necessarily have to be live with your lasers to check out the features - as long as you have the controller board attached (FB3 or QM series) that the software is licensed for, you can use the LivePro preview window to get a pretty good idea of what everything will look like with the lasers operating.
LivePro can be controlled directly by your computer keyboard and mouse, AND you can control it with additional external devices like joysticks and MIDI controllers, since virtually every feature of LivePro can be synced to a specific MIDI command - so, you could "play" LivePro as if it were a music synthesizer! To take this a step further, if you happen to be someone who tinkers with MIDI sequencer software, you could use that same software to trigger the cues and effects in LivePro automatically timed with your music.
ALSO - LivePro cues and effects can be synced to audio using a free plugin available for the free WinAmp audio player!
If you want to try out more "conventional" show-related software, you might also want to try out the LAStudio package available from Pangolin - last I heard, it's still free to Pangolin equipment users by requesting it throught their web site. It's a very nice software package with quite a few capabilities, geared towards the new user / hobbyist, and probably worth several hundred $$ more than the free price tag!!
Feel free to ask questions anytime - as I found out along the way, there are no "stupid" questions on this forum! By the way - when you get your system operation, be sure to post pictures! 
Randy
RR
Metrologic HeNe 3.3mw Modulated laser, 2 Radio Shack motors, and a broken mirror.
1979.
Sweet.....