How to build a filter?

Hello,

I am creating a website for a client, and I have a Newsroom page where some industry news and articles will be stored. 
I need to create a little filter (Press releases and Third party articles are the categories) and a 'Sort by' option. Is there a way to create this with code, without purchasing the Universal Filter plugin?

Before the Fluid Engine roll out, I had found a workaround using the Squarespace 'tag' system. By the end of it, I gave up on coming up with a UI solution as a drop-down or 'sort-by.' But you can certainly "parse" the articles using tags!

Best of luck to you!