How do you...?
 

It seems using hooks, plugins & extensions you can make some very nice 'addons' but as far as altering existing code or templates seems impossible unless you actually edit & hack the code/template manually...

my examples...

I've been trying to alter the 'default avatar' for a user, yes it checks to see if the user hasn't got an avatar etc and the hook location is correct the php code is correct, but bugger me if i cannot nail it...(show a default avatar).. the postbit template start hook is right and i should intercept the avatar location etc...

also template editing... you can create/remove... but say you wanted to remove the forum-link "-" (dashes) from the forum home template & replace them with a counter... (code for counter is good...) but show on forum home template is an actual hardcode edit? am i right?

These simple hacks which i'm trying to do seem beyond the remit of the hooks and plugins system, i could make a nice shotbox, welcome panel, download system, but altering exisiting vb elements? ....hmmmm i'm stuck dudes... would like some advice plz...cheers

-b6

As for as Templates are concerned: Yes, the User must edit them.
Or you would have to edit tum on the Fly or with Install Codes, but I would not recommend this too much.

As for the default Avatar: Where exactly did you get stuck?
Although I haven't look at it yet, it seems to be a not so complicated Task.

default avatar :
in the postbit_display_start location - seems to do nothing!, anyways you may be able to help me further... is there a 'hook' for when a user clicks a forum link on forum home (i.e a forum which is using a URL rather than creating a forum).... is this an 'event' type hook? i may be able to create a forum counter, but which would use 1 manual edit... (hopefully) :)

-b6