Java SE (Java Platform, Standard Edition)

I'm REALLY new to Java, but not to programming, so the transition shouldn't be too hard (plus I've also written in Flash AS 2.0 which i hear is very similar).
So here's my question on Applets.
Where can I find out how to write an applet that does the following:
1. Allows the user to load a picture from their computer.
2. Allows them to resize the image.
3. Also allows the to crop and rotate.
4. Saves the image to MY SERVER (very much like the applet here: http://izhuk.com/painter/)
5. (optional) adds a watermark to the picture.

The applet should be very simple. Where can I read up on specifically how to write this? Or does anyone know of any open source code that can show me how to do it?
Thanks