Your "version" does not replaces the standard images vBulletin uses, which is the whole point of this hack. If you put a link into the forum description text it also displays the image in the forum description above the threads on forumdisplay which can break the design or look not that good depending on the size of the images.
If you put the link into the forum title field (which has a character limit and could make image links impossible) it shows up in the breadcroumb and other places as well.
Example:
http://crackmuzik-gfx-elite.de/forumdisplay.php?f=116
Also your suggestion does not have different status images (no new posts/new posts).
It is possible to add images into forum descriptions/titles, yes.
But if it is easier depends on the point of view I think and the number of forums
And it defenetly has nothing to do with what my code does
StarBuG