when u say in the webmasters hands, what do you mean?
i dont know if this is feasable (or legal!!! oooppsss) but you could find the code for the pop ups in MSN messenger. that way, it saves you the work!!
It may not work, and thinking it over more and more times, dont think it will.
I have downloaded lots of trial versions of different projection software, and one of them had a blue bar at the bottom that was a bit like a quick note, but it scrolled across the screen. you could make it so it scrolled across the top.
Also, now getting either cocky, or stupid, what language is it written in, because, there is a site where you can downlaod HTML code for an LED bar. It is not great because the user has to enter what they want in the HTML code itself, but im sure all the designers are smart enough to adapt it, and make it work, just a thought