Author: Tammy, source: https://efiction.org/community/info-tutorials/images-in-skins/
When you add images to your skins use the {skindir} variable to point to the correct location. You cannot use a relative path to the image because not all the pages are in the same directory (such as a number of the challenges pages, poll and shoutbox archives, etc)
Wrong! This will break on some of your pages.
Right! The script will automatically fill in the correct relative path to the skin directory.
Also right. You can also use the complete URL to the image like this.
When you want to customize the stars, like/dislike, featured/retired, etc. graphics using the variables.php you should use the PHP variable $skindir in the same way.
Wrong! This will break in places.
Right! This will automatically supply the correct relative path.