So, Let me get this straight, NO NO NO! (sometimes the help is a little vague) :-\\
No, there is now way to create a single category that a particular group uses only and that is where their albums reside? i.e. a family category and family group, and in family category the family group can have their own sub categories and albums in their subs. So the structure would be on main page- Family category, under family you have, Aunt This Person category, and Uncle This Person category and that is where their albums reside. Or just one top category (area) for family only, no subs, just their own albums.
No, you can not assign a theme that will only display for a particular group?
No, there is no way to create avatars for member posts?
P.S I hope I was fairly clear on these issues and I know you don't like more than one question per topic, but sorting through all that is here can be a bit overwhelming.
1) This is what user galleries are for.
2) No, but it would be a simple mod.
3) I'm fairly sure there is a mod already posted to do this.
Thank you for responding so quickly. ;D
In regards to my second inquery about assigning a theme that will only display for a particular group. Do you have any suggestions or maybe point me in a general direction?
one question per thread!
The basic concept of coppermine is that permissions are not being assigned per category, but by album. Just specify what group has permissions to view a certain album. If you do the same thing for all albums within a category, this will in the end be the same as assigning permissions by category (which is currently not possible).