Hi I also gave web parts a go a loooong while back
then I gave up an started doing research on doing my own version so I can post it on Code-project :-D
http://www.codeproject.com/KB/HTML/DragDropPortal.aspx[
^]
Have a look it comes with full source for drag drop operations that can tie into any kind of web service (also any server language) with a push into the right direction for portal website development
Have fun and post me if you need any help implementing it. You are gonna pull the hair out of your head if you want to use web parts.