- ', $message['member']['link'], '
+ ', $message['member']['link'], !$message['member']['is_guest'] && $message['member']['is_topic_starter'] ? ' (OP)' : '', '
';
// Show the member's custom title, if they have one.
if (isset($message['member']['title']) && $message['member']['title'] != '')
echo '
', $message['member']['title'], '
';
Style B
This one signifies the OP by appending "(OP)" (not in bold) to their name:
--- /var/www/baseline/Themes/default/Display.template.php 2010-10-22 01:38:35.000000000 +0000
+++ /var/www/modified/Themes/default/Display.template.php 2022-09-10 03:31:02.000000000 +0000
@@ -261,13 +261,13 @@
// Show information about the poster of this message.
echo '
- ', $message['member']['link'], '
+ ', $message['member']['link'], '', !$message['member']['is_guest'] && $message['member']['is_topic_starter'] ? ' (OP)' : '', '
';
// Show the member's custom title, if they have one.
if (isset($message['member']['title']) && $message['member']['title'] != '')
echo '
', $message['member']['title'], '
';
Style C
This one signifies the OP by adding a small "OP" underneath their name:
--- /var/www/baseline/Themes/default/Display.template.php 2010-10-22 01:38:35.000000000 +0000
+++ /var/www/modified/Themes/default/Display.template.php 2022-09-10 03:39:50.000000000 +0000
@@ -264,12 +264,17 @@
', $message['member']['link'], '
';
+ // Show the text "OP" (with an explanation tooltip), if this member is the topic starter.
+ if (!$message['member']['is_guest'] && $message['member']['is_topic_starter'])
+ echo '
+ ', 'OP', '
';
+
// Show the member's custom title, if they have one.
if (isset($message['member']['title']) && $message['member']['title'] != '')
echo '
', $message['member']['title'], '
';
// Show the member's primary group (like 'Administrator') if they have one.
Style D
This one signifies the OP by putting their name in italics:
--- /var/www/baseline/Themes/default/Display.template.php 2010-10-22 01:38:35.000000000 +0000
+++ /var/www/modified/Themes/default/Display.template.php 2022-09-10 03:41:49.000000000 +0000
@@ -261,13 +261,13 @@
// Show information about the poster of this message.
echo '
- ', $message['member']['link'], '
+ ', !$message['member']['is_guest'] && $message['member']['is_topic_starter'] ? '' . $message['member']['link'] . '' : $message['member']['link'], '
';
// Show the member's custom title, if they have one.
if (isset($message['member']['title']) && $message['member']['title'] != '')
echo '
', $message['member']['title'], '
';
Style E
This one signifies the OP by underlining their name:
--- /var/www/baseline/Themes/default/Display.template.php 2010-10-22 01:38:35.000000000 +0000
+++ /var/www/modified/Themes/default/Display.template.php 2022-09-10 03:43:11.000000000 +0000
@@ -261,13 +261,13 @@
// Show information about the poster of this message.
echo '
- ', $message['member']['link'], '
+ ', !$message['member']['is_guest'] && $message['member']['is_topic_starter'] ? '' . $message['member']['link'] . '' : $message['member']['link'], '
';
// Show the member's custom title, if they have one.
if (isset($message['member']['title']) && $message['member']['title'] != '')
echo '
', $message['member']['title'], '
';
Closing thoughts
I think my favorite is style B. It's the most obvious and I prefer the "(OP)" when it's not in bold. I also like style C because the small "OP" underneath the name somehow seems in keeping with the Bitcointalk "style" (although it does consume vertical space). Style D is subtle and non-intrusive, which I like. I like styles A & E the least.
I experimented with different background colors and tried a few linear gradients as a way to make the OP's posts stand out, but I decided against anything too heavy-handed because I kind of love the forum just the way it is!
I've carefully tested these patches, but I'm pretty sure they won't cleanly apply to the modified version of SMF that this forum runs on. Luckily, they're tiny and easy to understand, so massaging them into place should be very straightforward.
Okay, that's all for now, I hope theymos accepts one of these patches! 
Update (2022/9/10)
Based on a suggestion from dkbit98, I've updated the patches above (A, B & C) to include a tooltip (explanation text) when you hover over the "OP" letters (see below for an example).
I've also added a new style which uses this tooltip together with an icon (as suggested by KingsDen). Right now, the icon is Unicode character "✍" (U+270D: Writing Hand).
Obviously, theymos is free to decide on a different icon and reword the tooltip, but I think this style is my new favorite!
Style F
This one signifies the OP by adding a little icon next to their name:
--- /var/www/baseline/Themes/default/Display.template.php 2010-10-22 01:38:35.000000000 +0000
+++ /var/www/modified/Themes/default/Display.template.php 2022-09-10 03:58:47.000000000 +0000
@@ -261,13 +261,13 @@
// Show information about the poster of this message.
echo '
- ', $message['member']['link'], '
+ ', $message['member']['link'], '', !$message['member']['is_guest'] && $message['member']['is_topic_starter'] ? ' ✍' : '', '
';
// Show the member's custom title, if they have one.
if (isset($message['member']['title']) && $message['member']['title'] != '')
echo '
', $message['member']['title'], '
';
Update (2022/9/13)
One of these patches (style B) was accepted by theymos! I'm humbled at being allowed to contribute to the forum in my own small way and very appreciative of the kind words that people have left in this thread.
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, and induct you into bitcointalk Hall of Fame with immediate effect. Thank you.
to make this possible, and the forum to implementing this, and make with that more people can encouragement to make other good things to this forum. 
