I think there should be a 1024px template with the following features:
1) a very top with three module/menu items positions, plus a scriptgator login type "BIG" button on the far right..
2) a header position (for logo & artwork).
3) then a 3 module position: (banner1, banner2, and banner3).
4) two positions advert 1 and advert 2,
5) 4 user positions (just above the main content area but excluding the left and right menu area).
6) a left, right, and inset menu area (where the inset is limited in verticle dimensions and the content stretches beyond the inset position once the verticle limits of the inset menu/module/position are reached).
7) another 5 user positions just below the main content.

two bottom positions,
9) with lightbox, virtue mart,
10) most importantly, the new K2 system.
The template should be done such that either a light or dark theme could be had with little effort.
That's my idea.
tmax.