[eluser]CroNiX[/eluser]
All the fancy drag and drop/etc can only be done in the browser since it manipulates the DOM, which requires javascript.
Otherwise, you'd have a filter or something, and you'd have to submit a form before the filter does anything. Using javascript it can be done in realtime and manipulate what's currently on the screen.
Same with ordering items. Without javascript you'd have a series of text boxes with numbers in them next to each item where you manually enter the "order" number next to each item and submit the form. With javascript you can do drag/drop reordering and save to the database without leaving the page.
So yes it's all possible serverside using forms/etc, but it sounds like you really want to be doing this clientside.