LoL..
I cann't ignore this post..
after reading this post, I just wanna try it..

*before that.. don't blame me because of this n00b steps*

Ok..
this is the steps..
first, we must search and edit this two template:
1. forumhome_forumbit_level1_post
2. forumhome_forumbit_level2_post

we must search the forum icon source code on both template..

forumhome_forumbit_level1_post
Code: 
<img src="$stylevar[imgdir_statusicon]/$forum[imageprefix]forum_$forum[statusicon].gif" alt="" border="0" id="forum_statusicon_$forum[forumid]" />
forumhome_forumbit_level2_post
Code: 
<img src="$stylevar[imgdir_statusicon]/forum_$forum[statusicon].gif" alt="" border="0" id="forum_statusicon_$forum[forumid]" />
$forum[statusicon] = new/old

so, we can use this source to display the new button:
Code: 
<img src="images/$forum[statusicon].gif" alt="" border="0" id="forum_statusicon_$forum[forumid]" />
but don't forget to upload new.gif to your images folder..
and just upload blank image for old.gif..

sample: