1- Stop the album list from showing on the front page, i just want it to show the categories, and then show the albums upon clicking on the categories
go to coppermine config, set "Show first level album thumbnails in categories" to "No"
2- Have an external link to my forums on the main page as one of the buttons at the top (i am using the rainy day theme)
edit themes/rainy_day/theme.php, find
// HTML template for main menu
$template_main_menu1 = <<<EOT
<span class="topmenu">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tr>
and add after it (in a new line)
<td><img name="spacer" src="images/spacer.gif" width="5" height="25" border="0" id="spacer" alt="" /></td>
<td><img name="button1_r1_c1" src="themes/rainy_day/images/button1_r1_c1.gif" width="5" height="25" border="0" id="button1_r1_c1" alt="" /></td>
<td background="themes/rainy_day/images/button1_r1_c2.gif">
<a href="my_external_link.htm" title="my link title that is displayed when you hover over the link with your mouse">my link text</a>
</td>
<td><img name="button1_r1_c3" src="themes/rainy_day/images/button1_r1_c3.gif" width="5" height="25" border="0" id="button1_r1_c3" alt="" /></td>
Those two questions are very easy to answer, you wouldn't have had to promise a reward - we answer this type of questions on a daily basis. I recommend you promise a reward for real modifications that actually add functionality to coppermine that isn't there yet.
When posting on regular support boards, please do only post one question per thread, as it makes it easier both for supporters and users looking for support.
GauGau
P.S. If you are still ready to pay for this, please donate any amount you find fitting to local charity.