Special positions are: sticky_left, sticky_right, notice, tool_bottom. You can use them for any module type. And to use, please go to Module Manager to configuryour module to your desired position.
You can disable these special positions:
All: Go to Administrator » Template Manager » Your_Template » Tab: Advanced » Use special positions » select: No for all special positions
Each by each: Go to Administrator » Module manager » Your_Module(by position: sticky_left/ sticky_right/ notice/ tool_bottom) » Status: Unpublish for that module
For customizing module in special position
The solution is using Module Class Suffix. You can customize button, module content by Module Class Suffix
Ex: Module Class Suffix: bg-white @bullhorn then: - Class of button is 'ico-bullhorn'. If without @... the default is 'icon-pushpin' - Class of module is 'bg-white'