the survival kit

you need :
 an O.S. - i recommend an easy one like Ubuntu

and a bundle of software:

 - a terminal - preinstalled
(i will teach you a few things here)

 - browser - Mozilla (this does not yet have preinstalled the 2 most important words in the history of the internet = "how to...?")

 - file manager
(with few "hacks")

- media player = vlc

- audio player=
rythmbox & easy-tag

 - photo manager
geeqie & shotwell viewer

Only geeqie is not preinstalled