Justin Tadlock

Hybrid Hook Widgets is a plugin that creates new widget areas for the <a href="http://themehybrid.com/themes/hybrid" rel="nofollow ugc">Hybrid theme</a> and attaches them to the theme’s action hooks. Basically, it allows you to add widgets pretty much anywhere.
Typically, to add extra stuff to the theme, you must use one of Hybrid’s action hooks. This can be quite confusing to some users. This plugin was created mainly for those users without much XHTML and PHP knowledge. It allows them to take advantage of Hybrid’s advanced hook system without the need to understand how it works. Of course, even advanced users can take advantage of this, especially when dealing with client work.
This plugin is for WordPress 2.8+ only.
You must have the <a href="http://themehybrid.com/themes/hybrid" rel="nofollow ugc">Hybrid theme</a> installed to use it.
Full instructions for use can be found in the plugin’s <code>readme.html</code> file, which is included with the plugin download.

Hybrid Hook Widgets

Adds 11 new widget areas to the Hybrid WordPress theme framework using its action hooks.

Christopher Cochran

This plugin uses the Genesis grid loop function to display posts teasers either on your Homepage, Archives, or Blog Template and gives added options to control them. Easily have 1,2,3… as many featured posts at top and teasers below. Enable Thumbnails, Disable the byline or post meta and limit the text for the teasers. The Genesis Theme Framework by studiopress is required.

Genesis Post Teasers

GENESIS THEME FRAMEWORK REQUIRED. This plugin uses the genesis grid loop function to display posts teasers either on your Homepage, Archives, or Blog  …

Hybrid Hook Widgets vs Genesis Post Teasers