In case you haven't seen, User:Rillke on Commons has implemented a

(default-on!) gadget that makes it possible to subscribe to

notifications of different types, e.g. policy changes, new features,

etc. These are shown as watchlist banners and upon login.

Here's a screenshot of the "subscription" interface:

http://i.imgur.com/gdImENz.png

IMO that type of gadget lends supports to the notion of shooting for a

subscription model to be ultimately integrated with Echo so that users

can get standard read-once notifications about things they care about

while keeping the core UI clutter-free.