I use mine for making grilled cheese sandwiches.
Please read the tutorials over at xbox-scene, and learn about dashboards. Avalaunch is good, but if you are starting out, look for "Slayers Evox Auto Installer" as another option - it is a collection of programmes you burn to CD/DVD, and basically does a kitchen sink install of everything you are going to need (and then some). If is a great way to start out.
Once you are comfortable and have tried out the other dashboards that are installed s part of Slayers - Evox, Avalaunch, XBMC, etc) choose the one you like best, upgrade it, and make it the one you use.
The choice of dashboards is definately a personal preference ... and a huge debate in itself that is like the Apple vs PC, Intel vs AMD, nVidia vs ATi, Ford vs Chevy, Swiss vs American, etc., debates - pick a side and defend it to the death
Good luck - and remember, the only stupid question is the one that the poster didn't search for an answer for first.