HELP needed with LG monitor working

I was given a 22" LG external monitor to use with my MacBook Pro. Once I got a minidisplay port to VGA adapter, it worked, but only as a mirror. I could not get it to act as a separate monitor to move programs and the cursor between. For dual display, it kept saying I needed LG's Dual Smart Solution program installed. It was software that was only in Windows. I called support and they said the software was not written for Mac and I couldn't use it that way. That doesn't sound right to me. Not being able to use it as a second monitor screen pretty much eliminates a lot of the market, it seems to me. I could be wrong. So I'm wondering if anyone knows if there are settings on the Mac side to make it work, or other solutions. Or if there is a better monitor maker that does not break the bank. The support guy didn't really seem like the brightest bulb. I'm not a geek, so if anyone can help in laymen's terms, I would be very grateful.