my hydrometer reader is 1.050....is this a good thing?

Question

I took this before I added the yeast....this is a export stout type of a beer and I am a total beginner

Answer 1

That's a pretty good starting gravity for a stout of "standard" strength. The reading that you'll really have to worry about is the finishing reading though, the closer it gets to 1.010ish the better you'll be.

Also keep in mind in the future that the temperature of the wort plays a pretty big role in the gravity reading so you should always check the temperature at the same time and then temperature correct your reading. This website does all the math for you...
http://www.rooftopbrew.net/abv.php

Good luck with your brewing!