ya but i just started on this server so i am on the live map do i still have to open minecraft game on the computer or can i use
The live map is just for reference you have to be in the server. I had this same problem when I first started.
the server is smp1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,or 9 in the format smp#.empireminecraft.com you put that in the server url in your minecraft client
Following that, you go through the tutorial, and once finished, push "t" then type /v open. Then it should tell you what to do from there. (This is all done ON Minecraft; not on this website.)