Hi,

I have see how you can interact through javascript with the standard publisher by accessing the its canvas app in the documentation for custom publisher actions. Is refreshing the feed the only publish event that is available? Is there documenation for this standard canvas app somewhere?

Example: 
<script>
        function refreshFeed() {
            Sfdc.canvas.publisher.publish({name : 'publisher.refresh', payload : {feed:true}});
        }
    </script>

Found here:
http://help.salesforce.com/apex/HTViewHelpDoc?id=creating_vf_pages_for_custom_actions.htm&language=en_US