Using Notebook as a Lighting Console...

The first thing would be to install Nomad. :Þ

Next, you'd need the USB key to make your output data usable for control.
Now you're all set. . . . Depending upon the data you need to output.
sACN & Art-Net outputs via ethernet, so they need no additional support.
DMX requires DMX ports which you can get via the Gadget.

There are also other devices out there that can convert sACN/Art-Net to DMX depending on your need.

I have Cobalt Family Software v8.0.0 with Library 14.0.1 for PC, and EOS Fmaily Console Software v2.60.4 which has ETCnomad Puck, is that what you meant.... and would this this software run better on a Mac Operating System? I can install Mac OS 10.6

I have Cobalt Family Software v8.0.0 with Library 14.0.1 for PC, and EOS Fmaily Console Software v2.60.4 which has ETCnomad Puck, is that what you meant.... and would this this software run better on a Mac Operating System? I can install Mac OS 10.6

In your first post you asked: "What do I need to use my notebook as a Lighting Console? "

To use your notebook as a Lighting Console, if you actually want to control lights, you need to purchase a licence from ETC. The licence comes in the form of a USB key called ETCnomad, referred to in the above posts as an USB key or licence dongle. This "key" is small enough to fit on your keychain and has to be present in a USB port in your Notebook whenever using the software to control lighting equipment (i.e. dimmers, moving lights, etc.).

Which family of ETC Console Software do you want to run?

You have two choices:
EOS or Cobalt.

You need to pick one of those and install it on your Notebook.

The software comes in a version for PC's (i.e. MS Windows), which is the exact same software used on ETC Lighting Consoles as well. The software also comes in a version for iOS (Apple) devices. The version you listed in your first post, ETC EOS Family v. 2.6.4.9.0.3 is what you want to use to install the EOS Family lighting console software on your Windows 10 notebook.

www.etcconnect.com/.../DownloadAsset.aspx

You don't need any of the other software you've listed to make this work (but you still need to purchase the ETCnomad key mentioned above).

You also asked: "Do I need a "Gateway"

The answer is Yes, or something similar to a Gateway to do the same job, such as an ETC Gadget II. You will need a way to convert the output of your Notebook into something your lighting equipment will understand. For more information on what you need to do that, see Wuz314159 and Mike A's posts above, where they explain your options for that.

Thats great, Thanks for the information. Exactly what I was looking for.

What other "Converters" would you recommend. say for a 400 seat house theater?

Nope to either one. I work as a stagehand in a performing arts center and just want to use my notebook as a console... It may be cheaper to buy one from ebay, not thst big of house just under 400 seats, so not a big system.

I highly recommend a dedicated system. It doesn't take a lot of 'horse power' to be a console but to be stable and reliable is another story entirely. A basic system can run several universes and an HD monitor and even a second screen. Background software, the dreaded automatic update and reboot, plain old crashes and similar issues can make a board ops life a challenge.

I also find it's not the seat count that matters, it's the need for speed and subtlety that drives console choices. Gone are the days of needing major CPUs to drive channel counts. It's all about the 'user interface' to get the ideas into the console. Voice activation and mind control just aren't there yet! [;)]

As this is small scale you can keep it simple to start with your normal notebook will be fine, (obviously if later you have a dedicated one that's only used for this you can turn off windows update and keep the machine free of other junk, which has its advantages)

You can even test things out without getting the licence key, as it fully works just flashes some lights randomly every so often so you cant really use it for a show, but it fully works so you can learn on it.

So to start you just need the output device either the gadget or the artnet/sACN device I mentioned (129 USD googling it again). I prefer the network device as it just works and can be permanently placed somewhere at the stage and I just plug my laptop into a ethernet cable rather than having a USB thing and a heavy-ish dmx cable trying to pull my laptop around,

Then add your licence key when you are ready to use it for real.