e-portfolio development:

the easiest place to get started is to go directly to the penn.state.e-portfolio page. activate your personal webspace ... and ... now what?

web design is NOT for the faint of heart.  but.  there are a variety of open source tools available.  try this:  1)  download a nice web design, 2)  modify and edit til it's you, 3) upload to your newly activated webspace, and 4) breathe. 
[if you're confused about how to choose colors.  look here.]

software (open)sources:

try open office 2.x for linux, mac and, oh yes, windoze. mac-types might try out neoOfficeJ or, for word processing alone ... you could try abiword.  great internet utilities for browsing, calendering and email are firefox, sunbird, thunderbird. plus, if you're tired of instant messaging through all the ads ....
alternatively, you could really try opera. 

tired of the same old os?

many folks think that trying on linux is too difficult for the average user. however, i encourage you to give a try to my current favorite build(s) an old standby, or (for the mac user in your world) something osx friendly? you just might be surprised!