As a beginner I am not really so sure its a good idea. The hobby isn't so simple that it can be boiled down in this way. I have learnt a huge amount through spending nights going through the threads and thanks everyone for all the info that is here.
However the biggest thing I have learnt is that this is a huge and diversified hobby. You really need to decide what you want to do and learn what the options are.
Best advice - buy a pair of binoculars and look through them, they will always be usefull - anything else you might spend thousands on perfectly good equipment but be un-satisfied because its no good for what you eventually find you want to do.
Roger
