Yes this is interesting, but currently only works with IE 5.5+. The current v3alpha release can be used with Mozilla too. Untill this tool is stable it surely won't be integrated.
Ah yes, I remember your newbb with IPB header Catzwolf!
I think this would make many people happy, if you could work on an enhanced newbb. In the end this module has a REAL chance to replace the origin newbb!
I also like the newbb very much, because it is well integrated into the core! By installing one of the other forums you always have to mess with the core files too.
Why not enhance the newbb or create a newbb2? Maybe this is a task for the xmdt ?
This is defined in your theme.html! Edit it to get what you want. The x2t theme has an alternative theme.html included, which will change the blocks order ...
Edit the following file modules\system\admin\tplsets\main.php
Delete the / before <?php
Problem 2) no "submit" button
To change the templates you have to "clone" them first! After that you can edit the cloned templates. Don't forget to select them in the preferences of your site.