After some talking with Moshe, sidebar.module has become a much simpler make_block.module. The new module will fit into Drupal much better. The design doc is at:
http://www.hack4dean.org/phpwiki/index.php?make_block This page is a bit sparse on implementation details and heavy on design issues for content creators such as DFA. Make sure if you forward this to someone who is not familiar with Drupal they know node is a peice of content and a blocks make a sidebar. As for tools DFA can use to make this, they should be able to use anything that creates RSS as the feed will involve nothing special. Here are my current ideas for DFA generated feeds: -linked images such as those on the right side of DFA's website -text, possibly with icons -thermometer or other views of DeanTeam progress for each team