[quote]An example to this would be i.e. on a page where an editor can log in, to be able to change only content within modules, and not add/remove modules or even use the design mode[quote]This sounds like you want to use the Module Edit settings. If you go to the module settings and give a role Edit access it, generally, will have more access to control the module. What that will be totally depends on the module itself.
[quote]this includes what modules specific users see at the control panel[/quote]I think this is getting put into 5. Not sure where along the 5 path, but I think I remember it being something they wanted to get in.
[quote]Last, and most important, I want to add permission to specific type of content editors, allow them to change content but request approval by an administrator before the changes go "live" (basically, visible to the public). Maybe this can be a feature on DNN 5.0 but who knows...[/quote]From my understanding (could be wrong, but) this type of feature isn't going to be in the core of DNN.
This feature is a CMS feature which will require CMS module to make that control available (There are modules that do it, don't know any off top o'head). DotNetNuke is being built as a framework to allow anytype of development to be done on top of it. Removing (or not adding) features which are specific to a type of website will allow the core team to work on enhancing the framework that allows developers to build better modules to use dotnetnuke as any type of website. (Just to say again - not on core team - no insider information what so ever, this is just the impression I have about things like this)
[quote]Maybe any one of you know something better that exists or a way to extend the security roles.[/quote]The only way I can think of to extend the security roles is to build it into the module settings. So to do this you would need to custom build or have access to source. You can make a permissions grid specific to your module and store the roles and their permissions, which you can then load and use in the module to determine how things go. I've noticed a couple modules that extend the permissions grid in the Module Settings section. Haven't quite figured out how they do that yet...
That's all I got for ya right now. Hopefully it helps shed some light on things. :)