There are a few items that you can configure to have your start menu and bottom taskbar configured for easier navigation.  The taskbar is the blue bar which goes from side to side of the bottom of the screen. First using the mouse right button, Right click on the Start button in the lower left hand corner of your screen and select "Properties".

Now click on the "Taskbar" tab on top.

Lock the taskbar

If this box is checked the taskbar will not be movable. If unchecked, then you can place the mouse pointer in an empty space on the tack bar, hold down the left mouse button and drag the task bar to the left, right or top of the screen.  I've seen many people who prefer the task bar to be on the right side of the screen.

Auto-hide the task bar

When unchecked the taskbar is visible at all times even when a program such as Word is launched. When checked then the taskbar will automatically move off screen giving more visible room for applications. To show the taskbar again simply touch the mouse pointer to the side of the screen where the taskbar normally is. It will pop up again until the mouse is moved else where.

Keep the taskbar on top of other windows

This is pretty much self explanatory. I would recommend keeping this checked.

Group similar taskbar buttons

Checking this box allows XP to rearrange icons in the taskbar so they are grouped according to function. I keep this unchecked because I like to organize icons the way I think or into my own groups. Icons can be moved by simply dragging then left and right to suit your needs.

Show Quick Launch

The quick launch bar will show on the left side of the taskbar if checked. Mine is shown below. The idea of this is as follows. Many keep icons on the desktop for launching their programs such as Word or Excel or a game. Icons on the desktop require a double click to launch and also take up room. These icons can be dragged into the quick launch area and rearranged by dragging. The desktop icons can then be deleted to free up desktop clutter. Quick launce icons require only a single click to launch a program. As you can see I have all the programs I uses often in the quick launch bar and not on the desktop.

Show Clock

Simple, this is the clock which appears in the taskbar in the lower right corner of the screen. Select which is appropriate for you.

Hide inactive icons

This is a little more difficult to explain. Looking below you will see an example of some icons that appear on the right side of the taskbar. These are icons for programs that automatically run when Windows starts. The more programs that start, the more icons there are. All of these programs are running but some may be inactive meaning they are not currently in use. By clicking the Hide inactive icons will hide those programs which are not in use and only show those that are. There can also be icons there which are simple short cuts to common Windows controls such as the audio control panel which is the speaker icon shown below (3rd from the left).  Typically when I configure a PC I prevent unnecessary programs from starting when Windows starts which reduces the number of icons visible and also reduces boot up time. 

Hope this helped!