The articles one looks like they have a modified threadbit template (I think that is the one that spits out the threads/last poster/posts/views). I think what the site owner was saying is that you can do this if you don't mind playing with html/php. I think you would have to modify the threadbit template to rearrange things, but you would probably also have to add a plugin to get some of that additional information to add to the look.
he told me he bought the hack, he just told me to "learn php etc." because he was upset to answer the question (afraid that my forum looks like his)
Hmmm, actually, all you said he said was that the hack was not free - which to me means download off the internet for free. I would search various vb download sites for showthread hacks, threadbit template edits, and see if you could modify one to suit your own needs. You want yours to be unique anyway, and NOT look like his (since that seems to be what he is worried about), so that is probably the best way to do it.