In general changeing the templates is a bad idea,
cause updates = reverts, template changes etc etc..
I personally prefer makeing a plugin, and inside the plugin
i find the place where i want the code inside the original template
and then use php via str replace to add my new content.
And then when vbulletin is updated, i donot have to worry about people
updateing, cause if vb changes the template it simple stops working without
creating major errors, and i can update my modification with minor changes to the plugin.
I made a mod extremely simple, without editing templates
i used str replace and added code into forumhome template via vbulletins cache..
exsample
Costum tos
check out the plugins this modification adds.
it looks like alot, but thats becourse my entire template code is placed in the plugin
instead of in a template..
i render a blank template, cause some boards wont show the mod otherwise.
so thats "just in case"