Image Slider / home page advice

I've asked this before, but that was a while ago. I have a few sites that have semi-highly modified templates. One site has professional lighting products on it, and my home page looks horrible (I'm not too good with php or graphic design). With Lighting Products, this site really needs to stand out and be colorful and the home page needs to communicate immediately about current specials, shipping deals, etc. I want to put a slider on it, but would like one that doesn't effect too many core files, if I can help it (I'm assuming that because My templates have a lot of changes to them.. but I'm good at backing up my files before mod's, so I'm willing to try anything). Or, I am also open to any other suggestions for some sort of cool-looking addition to my home page. I like the idea of a slider because I can put specials on the images, or messages. I'm thinking with a little help from graphic design friends that I can really make my home page pop. I have spent some time looking at plugins, and have read some threads here, etc.. but I would still like the fantastic, super-human, Zen Cart Community to give me some advice. Thanks... :)