Self-explanatory: I want to get started with programming games. Since I want to focus as much on gameplay programming as possible, I'd like libraries or - preferably - an engine that handle at least graphics rendering, physics and audio. I use Mac OS X and will be programming in C++ of course. Another important criterion is that it should be at least as much geared towards 2D as 3D.
IMO Allegro 4 is the easiest game library, though I'm currently moving on to Allegro 5. If you want an example of what Allegro 4 can do, check out my Tetris variant here: http://sites.google.com/site/rocketboytris/