I would install Linux. Ubuntu is good for beginners.
For a do everything browser package get Mozilla's Seamonkey. It combines the browser, email, chat and composition products into one application. It is supposedly faster than Firefox and Thunderbird and uses less resources YMMV...

For office applications get OpenOffice 3.2.

__________________
"I have no convictions ... I blow with the wind, and the prevailing wind happens to be from Vichy"

Current
Monika '74 450 SL
BrownHilda '79 280SL
FoxyCleopatra '99 Chevy Suburban
Scarlett 2014 Jeep Cherokee
Krystal 2004 Volvo S60
Gone
'74 Jeep CJ5
'97 Jeep ZJ Laredo
Rudolf ‘86 300SDL
Bruno '81 300SD
Fritzi '84 BMW
'92 Subaru
'96 Impala SS
'71 Buick GS conv
'67 GTO conv
'63 Corvair conv
'57 Nomad