Adding a layout cluster

Hi,

   I would like to add a new layout cluster to Content Portlet so
show, e.g., the first 40 (user defined number) words of a news item.
I'm not absolutely sure this is the solution.
   I tried to follow the "CPSPortlets content portlets" document
published by Jean-Marc in 2005 but I was not able to grasp the gaps in
the help document.
   To make clear my purpose:
   - I publish a news item
   - then with content portlet I show the first  XX words of the news
item in the Front page of my site, with a link the whole news
following this short intro
   - the number of words should be user defined when editing the portlet
   - the number of news item to show the first XX words should also be
user defined. For example, I could choose to show the XX first words
for the 4 latest published news item.
   I was able to show only the description the news item, not the XX
first words of the content.
   the last 2 options above are not mandatory; I can survive without
then if I can hardcode such information when defining the layout
cluster.

  Is this doable? Could someone give me more info, hints or an example?
  thanks in advance


-- 
Mario O.de Menezes, Ph.D.     "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but
LinuxUser: #24626         is the Lord's purpose that prevails" Pv 19.21
                        http://www.ipen.br/~mario