How to make a simple 'option'

[Borgs8472]

Hey all.

Say I make a really simply template change that I want to be optional.

( the case in question, I want users to be able to choose to have the forum catergory icons on or off )

Currently I've done this in a rather messy way, having one skin set with the forum catergory icons, each skin set with a child skin with the mod to remove those icons.

Now surely I should be able to stick a yes/no choice in somewhere, say on the user optionsm say in the visible post elements section of the usercp:

/forum/profile.php?do=editoptions

You have the option to show or hide various elements of messages, which may be of use to users on slow internet connections, or who want to remove extraneous clutter from posts.
Show Signatures
Show Avatars
Show Images (including attached images and images in [IMG] code)
Show forum catergory icons

How can I make a choice there effect my code? I know it's simple but I'm still new at this kind of coding...