MIDI Setup

Thanks in advance for any information. Assume I know nothing.

I have a free program called miniStageConsole that I would like to use with a laptop to create and possibly control a StageSetter-8 and two dimmer packs. I'm not trying to do anything fancy, just the basics (full on, blackout, and create/change scenes possibly). I understand that this program is suppose to be able to use MIDI commands. I understand the SS8 is suppose to respond to MIDI commands. I am using a Midiman USB 2x2 MIDI device between the laptop and SS-8. I've been unsuccessful in getting anything to work.

First, is this possible to do and second, would anyone be interested in walking me through the steps.

Thanks in advance for any help.