Not sure why you feel that dnn modules are that complex you can build a wsp based dnn hello world module with about 10 lines of code - and thats a module thats fully compliant with the dnn module core - though may need a couple more line to include import/export or search = say another 10 or 15 lines.
You dont even need visual studio installed - it could be done with just a text editor.
ascx markup code
==============================
<%@ Control CodeFile="MyModule.ascx.vb" Language="vb" AutoEventWireup="false" Explicit="true" Inherits="Mymodules.Test.TestModule" %>
ascx.vb code
==============================
Namespace Mymodules.Test
Partial Class TestModule
Inherits DotNetNuke.Entities.Modules.PortalModuleBase
Private Sub Page_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
MyLabel.text = "Hello World"
End Sub
End Class
End Namespace
====================
Put those two files in a folder in DesktopModules
And create a module in the Host -> Modules area and at MyModule.ascx as the control
All done a fully working and functional DNN module that could be placed on any page.
Westa