Samples of modal popups made for your requirements:

  Simple opacity change
  more appearance scenarios to choose
  expanding pane

  Above samples are under improvement and testing now.
  They do not have PHP part yet, but it is in progress and expected to be ready today.

  There is possible non-jQuery-dependent code:
     1. like we did for this owner: (owner can remove it, we have no control)
        http://btownlinks.com/  Click on ">Make it your homepage".
        It is not very fancy, but can be fancynized: like here
     2. http://landkey.net/Sample/moving_divs/js/move_text_in_progress/index.htm



  Obsolete: opacity_static_obsolete.htm