A question and a request

[joebwe25]

Hello Nifty and staff,
I have a question and a request:
1. Is it possible to have a "buddy list" icon at the top along with Index, User list, Rules etc.?
I get kinda tired of having to click profile and then getting it. I think it would be a little easier to have it right there.
and
2. What is the "Never show smilies as icons for this post" Thing at the bottom of the Post reply page?
I've never clicked it.
Thanks,
Joe
ETA:

 

[shelleyd2008]

The 'never show smilies as icons' thing means that if you click it, instead of : and ) looking like this--->

it would just be as typed.

Obviously I can't help with the buddies list thing