ThreadWorks: Threaded Forum Display

[ibautocommunity]

ThreadWorks
ThreadWorks is a vB plugin that allows a threaded forum display.

Features:
No modification to the vB code base

Only one template edit is necessary.

Saves display options sort order when a user chooses how to sort threads on forumdisplay.php

Installation
Installation instructions are included in do_not_upload/README.install.txt and are very simple.

Live Demo
To see it in a live production environment, visit http://forums.audiworld.com. Threaded mode is not enabled by default. You will need to register an account and set thread display mode to threaded in User CP.

Contact / Support
If you have any questions/problems post them here and I will get to them when I can.

[ssslippy]

This is built into vbulletin already.

[ibautocommunity]

This is built into vbulletin already.

Threaded mode in showthread.php is built into vbulletin, not a threaded forumdisplay.php.

[Patrick1969]

These are the instructions, bellow but... I am using FTP to connect to my host server and can't find... what is "my forum directory" I am using vBulleting 3.8 that's my first "augh!" moment, after that it looks simple but might as well be greek as well for step 2, for step 3 I'll have no issues but 1 and 2... huh oh, I am in big trouble since I have never done this before. Thank you in advance for your help.

"1. Upload the contents of 'upload' to your forum directory

2. From the admincp, import the product file 'product-threadworks.xml'

3. Edit the template 'threadbit' (in the Threadbit Templates group) in the Style Manager for your active style and do the following:

a) At the very beginning of the template, add the following:
<if condition="$threadworks">$threadworks<else />

b) At the very end of the template, add the following:
</if>

c) Save your changes

4. Done"

[ibautocommunity]

These are the instructions, bellow but... I am using FTP to connect to my host server and can't find... what is "my forum directory" I am using vBulleting 3.8 that's my first "augh!" moment, after that it looks simple but might as well be greek as well for step 2, for step 3 I'll have no issues but 1 and 2... huh oh, I am in big trouble since I have never done this before. Thank you in advance for your help.

Your forum directory is the directory that vBulletin is installed in.

Step 2 requires you to login to your admincp (administrator control panel) and go to manage products in the left side under Plugins & Products. From there import the xml file included in my zip.

These are steps you have to feel comfortable in doing on your own; I can take no responsibility for your actions.

[Patrick1969]

Your forum directory is the directory that vBulletin is installed in.

Step 2 requires you to login to your admincp (administrator control panel) and go to manage products in the left side under Plugins & Products. From there import the xml file included in my zip.

These are steps you have to feel comfortable in doing on your own; I can take no responsibility for your actions.

I am having difficulties uploading the file these are the messages I get... is there a way I can just FTP the file into the correct folder on my host server like the images? product-threadworks.xml keep in mind that I am working on a mac as well if that makes a difference.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v219/europa99/Picture9-1.png

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v219/europa99/Picture10.png

[ibautocommunity]

I have uploaded a new version that reduces the php dependency down to 5.0+ as 5.2 was not needed. Please download the new version.

Also, you need to import it as a product, not a plugin. Click on "Manage Products" under "Plugins and Products" and then click on "[Add/Import Product]" to import the xml file.

[Patrick1969]

I have uploaded a new version that reduces the php dependency down to 5.0+ as 5.2 was not needed. Please download the new version.

Also, you need to import it as a product, not a plugin. Click on "Manage Products" under "Plugins and Products" and then click on "[Add/Import Product]" to import the xml file.

Thank you so much for you help and work on this, the last change did the trick and works perfectly, now I just have to make sure the images are in the right place since those don't seem to have been uploaded by me in the right folder.

All I can say is WOW, I never see anything like it and the forum participants will have to qualms moving to a new software, that did save the day :)

[as7apcool]

thanks alot 4 you

this is really good job

[Patrick1969]

I have uploaded a new version that reduces the php dependency down to 5.0+ as 5.2 was not needed. Please download the new version.

I got it and it works with the NT as well as URL and PIC .gif, this is very good. Now the only thing I would need it a way to highlight the posts and/or threads which have been viewed while viewing the forum in a Threaded Format like this. That would be the last fix required for this format in order for all participants to adopt it as well as use it, is there an easy fix for this?

And is ti possible to make the font smaller in the threaded view and if so, how do I go about it? Thank you in advance once more.

[ibautocommunity]

I got it and it works with the NT as well as URL and PIC .gif, this is very good. Now the only thing I would need it a way to highlight the posts and/or threads which have been viewed while viewing the forum in a Threaded Format like this. That would be the last fix required for this format in order for all participants to adopt it as well as use it, is there an easy fix for this?

You can achieve this simply by adding the following CSS definitions:

a.threadlink {
color: blue;
}
a.threadlink:visited {
color: #551a8b;
}

You add these by going to "Styles & Templates"->"Style Manager" and editing the Main CSS for your style. Add them to "Additional CSS Definitions".

[Patrick1969]

You can achieve this simply by adding the following CSS definitions:

a.threadlink {
color: blue;
}
a.threadlink:visited {
color: #551a8b;
}

You add these by going to "Styles & Templates"->"Style Manager" and editing the Main CSS for your style. Add them to "Additional CSS Definitions".

Thank you so much, that did the trick.

The only two last questions I have when you have a chance to get to it, is how to change the font size in the threaded forum view as well as the background color which differentiate the different threads and then I'd be pretty much set (I hope)

And again thank you for putting this together as well as taking the time to walk me through it all, it is greatly appreciated.

[ibautocommunity]

Thank you so much, that did the trick.

The only two last questions I have when you have a chance to get to it, is how to change the font size in the threaded forum view as well as the background color which differentiate the different threads and then I'd be pretty much set (I hope)

And again thank you for putting this together as well as taking the time to walk me through it all, it is greatly appreciated.

I am glad it is working for you. I plan on making the alternating background colors more configurable, but for now they rely on the alt1/alt2 css classes. However, in the current xml file I also define another color that fits our need at the moment. If you want it to only rely on the alt1/alt2 classes, you will have to edit the xml file and remove the following bit of code:

$thread_bg_color = ($thread_bg_color) ? '' : 'background-color: #eeeae8;';

[Patrick1969]

I am glad it is working for you. I plan on making the alternating background colors more configurable, but for now they rely on the alt1/alt2 css classes. However, in the current xml file I also define another color that fits our need at the moment. If you want it to only rely on the alt1/alt2 classes, you will have to edit the xml file and remove the following bit of code:

$thread_bg_color = ($thread_bg_color) ? '' : 'background-color: #eeeae8;';

Thank you I will have to get it done and try different things, as long as the forum is not officially launched I can play with the settings. So far fantastic, and the threaded view if for the users who have known only Network54 type forums, very simple with no options... as such I'd rather give them an option they are familiar with and this works.

In some of the image samples you posted, the font did not look as big as what I am seeing on my monitor once I set it to Threaded Forum View. I inserted an image below. How do I make the font smaller? What I'll do afterward is attempt match the 'light yellow' background to the main forum standard gray #E1E1E2 the light blue is perfect though.

Here is a screen capture, see how big the font is... I just have no idea how to make it smaller

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v219/europa99/Picture3-2.png

[ibautocommunity]

In some of the image samples you posted, the font did not look as big as what I am seeing on my monitor once I set it to Threaded Forum View. I inserted an image below. How do I make the font smaller? What I'll do afterward is attempt match the 'light yellow' background to the main forum standard gray #E1E1E2 the light blue is perfect though.

The font size is currently defined by the bigusername class.

In the xml file the line of code is:
$threadworks .= "<div class='bigusername $thread_alt' style='$thread_bg_color padding: 10px'>";

[Patrick1969]

The font size is currently defined by the bigusername class.

In the xml file the line of code is:
$threadworks .= "<div class='bigusername $thread_alt' style='$thread_bg_color padding: 10px'>";

Thank you, I was successful in changing the background color however I had difficulties in making the font smaller, I just got it by changing 'bigusername' to user name that worked.

Thank you for pointing me in the right direction for this one.

[ibautocommunity]

Thank you, I was successful in changing the background color however I am having difficulties in making the font smaller, what do I need to change in the code, I already updated the 10px to 8 px without any effect as well as tried 10pt and 8pt, I guess I am missing something somewhere.

Thank you for pointing me in the right direction for this one.

Something you can try is replacing the existing line:
<div class='bigusername $thread_alt' style='$thread_bg_color padding: 10px'>

with:
<div class='$thread_alt' style='$thread_bg_color padding: 10px; font-size: 10px'>

This is a quick and dirty way to get it working now. Eventually I want to move all style definitions into a css file and all html created into a template.

[Patrick1969]

Something you can try is replacing the existing line:
<div class='bigusername $thread_alt' style='$thread_bg_color padding: 10px'>

with:
<div class='$thread_alt' style='$thread_bg_color padding: 10px; font-size: 10px'>

This is a quick and dirty way to get it working now. Eventually I want to move all style definitions into a css file and all html created into a template.

Thank you so much for all your help, so far so good, lets see what the users will tell me but I think with the threaded view option everyone will be happy. I will keep my eyes out for new updates.

[Patrick1969]

After a weekend of trying it out and testing it, it works really well for the people who prefer to have a Threaded Forum View, now is there a way to keep the original message tree in place has opposed to move it within the threaded view under the post, that we do find a bit confusing at this time. It is great that it has the ability to move the message tree below the post, but that's a step beyond what we are a.) used to and b.) what makes the threaded view so legible for some.

Thank you.

[gct13]

now is there a way to keep the original message tree in place has opposed to move it within the threaded view under the post, that we do find a bit confusing at this time.That's the way it should be imho in showthread, the post up top, followed by the thread tree below, followed by the reply box.

ibautocommunity - great job, I signed up for you site, the mod looks great. Finally, a true vb threaded view. (And ridiculously simple to install at that)

Feature request -

I would like to specify which forums have which display mode: flat or threaded (forget about the goofy "hybrid"). I would like this as an admin setting, I don't want the users to be able to choose, I think every user should be viewing and replying in the same display mode.

In other words in the admin panel I could specify forum #1 and #2 as flat, and #3 as your threaded.

Thanks again on such a great mod,

Dan

[Patrick1969]

Is there a line in the code I could modify in order to keep the native the threaded tree below the post, so as not to move the post within the thread in the Threaded Forum view.

After a few weeks using the threaded forum view that's about the one of the only two things I would like to modify at this point - if we could had 'how many views' on at the end of each line then I would be set.

Original native thread below the original post and how many views and I'd be walking like I have clouds on my feet (so would all my users :))

Thank you in advance.

[Tamtams]

I think the installation instructions may need to be slightly updated to be vb4 compatible - specifically with something like the following (doesn't work yet, still trying to figure out the right code...)

<vb:if condition="$bbuserinfo[threadedmode]">
$threadworks
<vb:else />
....
</vb:if>

$threadworks is the weak link - I think it needs to be changed in order to actually dump the contents of the $threadworks variable

[porschegruven]

Tamtams, did you get $threadworks working w/ vb4?

[lex_]

Tamtams, did you get $threadworks working w/ vb4?

we have a site where users are screaming for a threaded display.

[like2golfmd]

I have installed this as the instructions said to do so but I can't get it to work. Can someone help me, please? www.gapigskin.com is my website

Thanks in advance --

Mike