I'm using the default template at the moment with some color and image modifications, but the people who use my forums are griping about how the section of a post that holds the avatar and contact info is continuous with the post itself. Is it safe for me to use a different template that does things that way without having to redo the style sheet and images, or do I need to alter the code in the default template?
Also, if I need to alter the code in the template, can someone tell me what to put in and what to replace?
I'm using 1.1 RC3
Huh?
I don't think I'm understanding what you're talking about 100% here. Can you take a screenshot and draw on it what you're talking about?

Make that look more like this: