Forum Display Enhancements - Alternate Last Post Display

Alternate Last Post Display
By: Idan B.

1. Description & Usage:
Alternate Last Post hack will allow the forum admin to make the "Last Post" column on forum look different (have another/better layout):
Hack will make it with user avatar picture & instead of showing post date, it will show "time diff" since the post (for example: 4 Hours, 5 Minutes ago") - See pictures in attachment for better understanding. :up:
This Hack can be enabled on both Forum Home & forum Display or Forum Display Only.
The hack was develop for request of Theater (request was made here: https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=214212 )
I assumed this request might be "handy" to other users of community, so developed it to be a fully working modification.

2. Installation:
Please click Mark as Installed.
Installation is pretty easy - just download & install:

• Extract zip for product xml & no-avatar picture.
• Goto: AdminCP->Plugin System->Manage Products : Choose "Add/Import Product" and import this product xml (product-alt_last_post.xml)
• Upload the "anonymous_avatar.gif" file onto /images/avatars/ directory. If testing it on your develop board, be sure to upload there as well.

3. Upgrade From Older Version:
1. uninstall previous version
2. Download new version xml & install as instructed in previous section.

4. Configuration:
Once installed, the "Vbulletin Options" under admincp will have extra section:
Section name: "Alternate Last Post Display"

• Enabled ? - Yes/No (default YES)
• Enable on Forum Home ? - Yes/No (default NO)
• Enable on Forum Display ? - Yes/No (default YES)
• Use "Last Post" text as title ? - Yes/No (default YES)
• Show differential time ? - Yes/No (default YES)
• Align "Never" to LEFT ? - Yes/No (default YES)
• Use profile picture instead of avatar ? - Yes/No (default NO)
• Picture width - INT (default: 40)
• Picture height - INT (default: 40)
  

5. Known Bugs:

• Forum Tabbbed modification has known competability with this mod - result it is not showing on forumhome. Currently debugging this one to allow fix on next version.
• v1.1.4 released. Since v.1.1.0 code was re-writeen completely from "scratch" and now it should support multi-languages (other than english) ! Note: Cyrillic & Latin chars reported to have some issues, still under check)
• See changelog below for full description of stuff fixed.

6. TO-DO's LIST (Next Versions):

• Allow thread view option on admincp.
• Other mods (such as Forum Tabbed Modification) conflict fixes - under checking !.
• [S]Admincp option to set avatar width/height.[/S] added in v.1.1.4
• [S]Admincp option to select between profile and avatar picture.[/S] added in v.1.1.4

NOTE: Currently supported format chars for date/time (v1.1.4) are :
Date: "j","d", "m", "n", "F", "M", "Y", "y","S"
Time: "h", "H", "g", "G", "i", "s", "a", "A".
Any other chars will result with Post Time: N/A displayed !

NOTE: i've left v1.1.3 and added in addition the v1.1.4, just in case anyone has problem, he can download old version & rollback.

Enjoy hack & dont forget to click Mark as Installed

[IdanB]

Originally Posted by RedeemedWarrior

any chance you can make it work so it will show last posts in subforum on forumhome?

currently only last post in a master forum shows

Please provide some screenshot so i'll better understand what you reffering to.

[keyness]

Nice job! Thanks!

[compact123]

Good work sir. i have a problem;

Installed latest version. Picture does not show on forum display.

and add an option to change the icon size you can do?

thanks so much...

[JMEWLS`]

What's the template so I can edit it a little. It doesn't span with "small font" CSS, and I want to adjust the arrangement like I can in the lastpost template.

[saviola8x]

very nice.
Thanks : http://forum.svmtcn.net/ =)

[denman75]

looks great ,great hack thank you sir

[IdanB]

Originally Posted by JMEWLS`

What's the template so I can edit it a little. It doesn't span with "small font" CSS, and I want to adjust the arrangement like I can in the lastpost template.

It's auto-template edit. You will find in mod 2 plugins named that end with " - Template Change" - one for Forum Home & other for Forum Display.
I'll allow the small font as an option for admincp on next version.

[ArnyVee]

Originally Posted by IdanB

ok. I'll debug that code section again, maybe it's something minor i overlooked.
Next revision expected to be released next Friday. I' hope v1.1.4 will eliminate all the bugs left

Idan, did someone do the Tabbed Forum Home bug fix with you already? I haven't had a chance yet and just checking that you have something to work with already for 1.1.4 on that one.

[compact123]

How do I like in this picture? Last post I want to look like the picture of the message. Thank you.

[IdanB]

Originally Posted by compact123

How do I like in this picture? Last post I want to look like the picture of the message. Thank you.

You can make this look like the picture with minor tweaks. (only edit required is to move the <br> location). All the rest is under admincp options.

1. Inside admincp, under "Plugin & products" -> "Plugin Manager".
Edit templates "Forum Display - Template Change" & "Forum Home - Template Change":

Locate this line:

PHP Code:

$vbulletin->templatecache['forumhome_lastpostby'] = "<div align='left'><table width='100%'><tr><td align='left' width='40'>\$GLOBALS[alt_lp_avatar_img]</td><td align='left' NOWRAP><a href='\$GLOBALS[alt_lp_last_post_link]'>\$GLOBALS[alt_lp_last_post_title]</a> $vbphrase[alt_lp_by] <a href='\$GLOBALS[alt_lp_last_poster_profle_link]'>\$GLOBALS[alt_lp_last_poster]</a><br>\$GLOBALS[alt_lp_last_post_time_ago]</td></tr></table></div>"; 


and replace with this line:

PHP Code:

$vbulletin->templatecache['forumhome_lastpostby'] = "<div align='left'><table width='100%'><tr><td align='left' width='40'>\$GLOBALS[alt_lp_avatar_img]</td><td align='left' NOWRAP><a href='\$GLOBALS[alt_lp_last_post_link]'>\$GLOBALS[alt_lp_last_post_title]</a><br>$vbphrase[alt_lp_by] <a href='\$GLOBALS[alt_lp_last_poster_profle_link]'>\$GLOBALS[alt_lp_last_poster]</a> \$GLOBALS[alt_lp_last_post_time_ago]</td></tr></table></div>"; 


2. Inside admincp go to "Vbulletin Options" -> "Vbulletin Options", edit the "Alternate Last Post Display" options, and set the "Show differential time ?" option to NO.

3. Adjust the date/time string on vbulletin "Date and Time Options" as you please.

regards.