Sorry, portal design is just not a beginner issue. Learn the basics of Java
first. Then learn about JSPs and servlets. Then you'll probably want to look
into Struts Tiles or another similar technology, as that sort of thing is
absolutely ideal for portal-like applications. If you seriously devote yourself
to this and spend a few to several hours a day learning and working with it, you
might have a feeling for what you need to do in a month or two. That's just a
guess, though.