relalbum, photo_icon and image_icon (maybe others) are currently appended to webroot, so they kind of have to be relative. I did it that way since people seem to have a variety of configurations, and otherwise I'd have to force the user to put in the whole "http://www.webserver.com/..." for each variable.
Sounds like some interesting stuff there with your control panel work. Can't wait to see it!
Donate to UBBDev today to help aid in Operational, Server and Script Maintenance, and Development costs.
Please also see our parent organization VNC Web Services if you're in the need of a new UBB.threads Install or Upgrade, Site/Server Migrations, or Security and Coding Services.