Sharepoint V2 is much different than V1. There is as many document  Libraries
in the main  portal as you which. By default a document library  is created
for each/topic area but you are free to add as many document libraries  as
you which.

I just installed v2.0 and have not done anything to it. How do I get to
the document  library in the portal  (the default one)?

To place the document  library on an portal  area page:


1.
Edit Page (under actions on left hand side of page in a portal
area)
2.
Modify Shared Page (top right hand side of page)
3.
Add Web Parts
4.
Browse
5.
Drag Document library  onto whatever location on page you would
like


To edit the a web part: on a page such as the document library:

1.
Edit Page (under actions on left hand side of page in a portal
area)
2.
Click down arrow on web part to be edited
3.
Select modify web part
4.
Editable properties will appear on right side of screen



To customize a document library or add additional document libraries  in
a portal area:


1.
Manage Content (under actions on left hand side of page in a
portal area)
2.
Click the document library or list you wish to manage OR click
create at top of page
3.
Modify Settings and Columns (under actions menu on left side of
page)

I noticed that in paragraph 2, when you put a
document into the document  library, you can only open the document. But
in paragraph 3, for each document in the document library, there is a
drop down list to check in/out, version history, etc. This is what I
need to be easily accessible by the users rather than have them navigate
to Edit page, Manage Content, Document Library. The weird thing is that
the location for both of these documents are going to the same place,
how is this possible? I noticed the document library  in the individual
Sites and in My Site have the drop down capability right there for the
users but not in the main  portal section. Any advice?

Your users can get to the document  Management features by clicking on
the title bar of the document library  webpart (which, unless you change
it, will be called "Document Library"). No need to click multiple
links, just the one.

I have that tab available to the users. When I click on that tab, it
displays all the folders in the document  library. I select a folder and
it displays the documents in that folder. But when I click on the
document, it opens the document. How do the users get the drop down list
to check-out/check-in, version history, discuss, etc.? Basically, how
does a user check out and check in a document from here?

Try placing the mouse to the right of the document  link. You should get
a pull down menu - click in that space to open the menu. If you don't
see it immediately then hover it there for a second before actually
clicking to see it. You are correct in that if you click on the link
itself it opens the document.

I don't even get that drop down arrow like the other ones.