Easier than what?
I haven't attempted this, but you can try this.
Open /include/categories.php
Make a backup first.
Then change:
Code:
group by $sql_tbl[categories].categoryid order by ".($current_area=="C" ? "order_by" : "category"));
to
Code:
group by $sql_tbl[categories].category order by $sql_tbl[categories].category);