what are the {vb raw xyz}? and how to use them?

[Lynne]

Those are just new ways to writing the variables. {vb:raw totalpost} used to be $totalpost in vB3 and is probably more recognizable.

You cannot always just move a variable from one template to another. All variables must be registered for use in a template (Cellarius wrote a really good article that you may be interested in - [vB4] Rendering templates and registering variables - a short guide) and, if you are moving it to another page, then you need to also take the php code and move it to that page or else the variable won't exist for use.