[dm_fan]

Thanks Lynne
changing to $thread['forumid'] was exactly what did the trick. here is the code again for anyone trying to do the same thing:

<if condition="$thread['forumid'] != 'xxx'">
<if condition="$show['reportlink']"><a href="report.php?$session[sessionurl]p=$post[postid]" rel="nofollow"><img class="inlineimg" src="$stylevar[imgdir_button]/report.gif" alt="$vbphrase[report_bad_post]" border="0" /></a></if>
</if>

I started out wanting to change $show['reportlink'] but couldn't find where $show was located (I don't work with PHP or mods to our forums that often).
and I've never created a plugin but would be willing to learn if someone can point me to a good tutorial.

Thanks again