Custom Featured Content Tab Module

Hello All!

I've been around the block on all the available Featured Content Slider/Scrollers and I'm just not finding or able to alter anything into what I want. Given my lack of knowledge on the module development front I'm looking into creating a custom Featured Content Tab module.

To give you a general idea, visit crackle.com and look at their content slider. Now I know this is flash but there should be a way to get the same basic functionality I would think?

Essentially I was thinking it doesn't necessarily even have to be based on any views or blocks, my editors and I could manually upload an image (auto-resizing would be nifty) and then be able to add and remove the tabs. The tabs could be populated with on the fly text or bring in a CCK field. In addition a thin transparent bar/section over the image with a tagline which could be populated with custom text or a CCK field. A method in which to link the image to the node would also have to be resolved. Also a navigation bar overlay (dots or some custom image) over the image would be preferable.

Ideally, it would be nice to be able to theme certain things in the Admin UI such as transparency of the tabs or image (to reveal the background a bit) and the ability to add a background image on the tabs, etc. Also transitions (jQuery?) between the tabs would be nice. Perhaps Left/Right/Top/Bottom tab support as well? Also it would be nice to edit the Image Height-Width/Tab Height-Width/Slider Height-Width of the module from the Admin UI.

Going back to the implementation, I don't know if views is the best way to go due to the different content sections I have and being able to dynamically control what is displayed. Perhaps a way to assign a node to a tab and a CCK field on the node populates the Tab name and the Tagline section (the node should be able to be selected from multiple content types)? The images could be separate perhaps, or be called in from a CCK Image Upload. Another nice feature would be the quick ability when removing tabs, to have a checkbox that auto-deletes the picture for that tab on your server for space economy.

If you would like to check out the site this module is for, please feel free: http://tinyurl.com/yldaox3 (sorry I'm trying to avoid the domain being indexed for development inquiries).

Again, I'm rather new to the development field so please feel free to throw suggestions or quotes at me. I can throw some mockups together on request if need be. I'm easy/flexible to work with and have no desire to look elsewhere outside of drupal. I'm just trying to create the best site I can!

I would also love to release this back into the community. I think a lot of people would benefit from this flexibility of just being able to straight input a node to a tab.

-Ben