> 	    - https:// to directory for download, and some cgi for upload
> 	      This I find the most tempting - does anyone know of any good
> 	      examples for the cgi?

Or webdav over https://

No CGI needed. Many clients available. Included as part of Mac OS X and 
recent Windows systems and well documented.

> 	    - subversion over https://. I find this strangely compelling,
> 	      but the whole revision control aspect would probably confuse
> 	      the hell out of the users...