Q:

How can I make part of a Joomla template editable via the CMS interface?

Title says most of it. 
I have inherited a Joomla site and the client wants part of the main template (a feature-type box) to be editable via the Joomla backend.
I guess really it is a content item that never gets displayed as its own page, but as a part of all pages.
Is that possible?
Thanks.
EDIT: By editable, I mean as a piece of content, not as editing the template HTML. I hardly expect non-tech users to get things right in a WYSIWYG text editor, much less change HTML code that could screw up the whole site.

A:

You want the content items module.
Content Items Module
This way a user can add content as normal using the standard content pages, but you as the developer can set the module up to show that content as a module only. You have a LOT of choices with the above module too, you can set individual, category, intro, main all that kind of thing. Dont link to the page or category and it wont be shown on the main site, just in the module :)
The joomla extension directory is full of great things.
Good luck

