If you are 'completely new', pick up a book or read some tutorials more.
Secondly, Ferret (and acts_as_ferret) are a nice solution or http:// railscasts.com/episodes/37
Cheers, Zach Inglis → Blog -- http://www.zachinglis.com → Company -- http://www.lt3media.com → Portfolio -- http://portfolio.zachinglis.com