I was recently asked how to get it so that the "Shared Documents" web
part show the document edit menu (check in/check out, etc.). I set it
up by modifying the view for that web part on that particular page,
and then the (VIP) person asked if we could just have that be the
default since most people would want that option. I have no idea how
I'd changed the default list view web part for all new document
libraries that are created.

Is this even possible? If so, can you tell me how (and if a developer
would have to do it...which is my guess).