Effects

Record stores the look that's currently visible on stage. If you have a look including an effect, it will be included in that Record as well.

It would probably help if you explained a bit more what you're trying to achieve and what you tried. Especially knowing what syntax didn't work could help us clear up why something didn't behave as expected.

Good questions

I wanted to look at effects that are already installed to see what I could use.

the video made running effects seem easy

he also made mention of storing an effect in a cue, but I have had no luck with that.

To check an effect you need to apply the effect to a number of fixtures. This could be a group (group 1 effect 901) which will be a circle effect on the fixtures in group 1. Now if group 1 does not have any moving heads then the effect can’t be applied.

once you have the look on stage and an effect running, [record][cue]x[enter]. This will record the effect in the cue. 
hope this helps.

To check an effect you need to apply the effect to a number of fixtures. This could be a group (group 1 effect 901) which will be a circle effect on the fixtures in group 1. Now if group 1 does not have any moving heads then the effect can’t be applied.

once you have the look on stage and an effect running, [record][cue]x[enter]. This will record the effect in the cue. 
hope this helps.