how would I do this? to include the author info as well.
I also want to move all the postbit like edit reply etc to the top next to the post number.
Well, as far as your first question, go to ACP -> Themes -> modify/delete -> Edit Theme style and then Go on your theme and then scroll down to Alternating Table Row 1 and Alternating Table Row 2. Then you just set different colors in background under Main CSS Attributes.
I don't want this on the Index though. As the images I use as forum icons/activity indecators whatever have white backgrounds.
You will then need to change the template for the index. Look for where it pulls the row2 css and make them all row1