Please help an audio idiot

Archived from groups: rec.audio.tech (More info?)

hi, I'm a self-proclaimed audio idiot. I bought a house that is
completely wired throughout for audio, however I haven't the foggiest
idea how to hook everything up. There are speakers to the outside,
speakers throughout the house, and a pair of bose cubes in the rear of
the living room. All of the wires end at a central cabinet in the
living room. I would like the ability to hook up all of the speakers to
a cd player/reciever. I do not own a standalone of either of these
components, I've never had use for them. Now that I've got everything
pre-wired, I figure I might as well join the 21st century and buy them.
First I have a few questions:

1. I've been told the cubes aren't much use by themselves. Can anyone
tell me if I can buy speakers to supplement these and set up my own
home theater or do I need to buy a whole new package and sell the
cubes. I can't even tell what model they are (no numbers that i can
see.) I don't have any other speakers except what's attached to my Sony
stereo.

2. What do I need to look for in a reciever? I'll choose the brand at
the store myself, I'm just trying to find out what bells and whistles I
need. There's a lot of speakers, not to mention my dvd and tv i'd like
to hook into it.

I really don't know much at all about working all of this kind of stuff
except but am a quick study. I just need a good push in the right
direction. Any help would be tremendously appreciated.

thanks