Now you know I am a noob when
 

I ask a question like "what is the difference between a hack and modification?"

I can't figure this out. We have to go to vBulletin.org for hacks, but what exactly is a hack.

Hacks from vBulletin.org are code hacks and template hacks are visual hacks.

but what is the difference and why can you only do code hacks on vb.org instead of here?

i ask because i can't access that site here at work. i have a firewall.

In my mind, the difference is between only having to make changes to templates, and having to change the code in the files themselves.

I *think* (and I could be wrong here) that the reason we can't post code hacks here (other than it being a site for templates) has to do with vbulletin licensing and preventing people who have pirated copies of vbulletin from having access to code hacks. I'm sure saintdog could give you the official story though :)

EXACTLY!

The general rule of thumb here at vBT is as follows:

If it cannot be done from the admin control panel, then it does not belong here at vBulletinTemplates

The only exception to this rule are the admin cp.css files which you have to upload.

vBT is a template modification community, not a hacking community.

ah ha. thanks all.

Well, that's not entirely true SaintDog. There are tons of hacks I have installed that are from vBulletin.org that only require template hacking.

If they can be done from the admin cp then they are not really hacks, although they are still allowed at vB.org.

It would help if the users here called the template mods here what they are, template modifications, or template mods. It gets confusing when we call template mods, hack. :)