Another thing that would be useful is a "terminal" mode that would allow the user to monitor traffic from the radio display if it is connected to chirp. You could use it in place of your display. I guess with d-star you have the ability to see messages that come across the radio directlry? This away a net control operator doesn't have to keep their eyes on two things, and I'll shameless admit so that I can tel who I'm talking to etc....
Yeah, although that will only work for a 91 or 92. Also, CHIRP doesn't currently do any sort of live rig control to keep it similar across all the radios. It uses the rig control protocol to access the memories, of course, but no existing facility to continuously speak with the radio like the RS-9x programs. I'm not saying it won't ever happen, but it's not high on my list of priorities.
Aside from that, there is a command-line utility that uses the chirp libraries that lets you program a memory in the radio by running a command. Currently it's only used by me for development and testing, but you could use it instead of the UI if you think it would be easier.