9. Is there a demo version to try out the LN without using real btc in other to get acquainted with the process.
If you have an Android phone then you can download
Eclair Mobile Testnet. You can get some testnet coins from a random faucet. Alternatively, download
BlueWallet, create a Lightning Wallet and post here a payment invoice for 500 satoshi. I will pay it and show you some services where you could spend those coins.
Following Rath_'s advice on Eclair, which would be the best testing ground to get a glimps of how the real Lighting Network works, you could to
https://starblocks.acinq.co/and try your testnet LN payments. Find some testnet bitcoin online, there are a few faucets around, open a channel and try your first LN payment.
The first time you do it it is pretty coo!.