for what it is worth, the first thing that came to my mind for the opposite of a portal, was a funnel... or at least a set of interconnected funnels. It is a simple kitchen metaphor, but a funnel it a tool that distills something down into its right container - usefully managing the little bits and pieces so that you can manage them all and be left with the best of what you have.

Anyway, I am not sure that the funnel works for all of the other aspects of yur question, but I thought that I would throw it out to you and show you that I have actually read a blog. but don't tell my husband or he will start expecting me to read his : )

tonya