I have zero php programming experience, so I'm trying to learn to adapt code as best as I can.

What I would like to do is emulate some of the functionality available for showing microbadges or mini-icons for each forum user that has been implemented at boardgamegeek.com. This is a sample thread.

My goal is to tie the tiny icons to choices in each users profile.

I'd like to learn how to do this by using an existing field and a directory of images. How would I go about displaying the user's country flag? For my purposes I'm going to assume all my users are US, Canada and Great Britain so I don't have to create a zillion images. Start small and then expand my knowledge from there. And then hopefully refine the hack to give back to the community.

Any pointers for a novice?

Thanks in advance!