Forum Display Enhancements - Collapsable First Post using AJAX (or Last Post!)

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NOTICE: This is for vBulletin v3.6 ONLY. You can find a v3.5 compatible version here.

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*** Confirmed working on ALL vBulletin 3.6.x versions! ***

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Keywords: FORUMDISPLAY, search, results, collapse, AJAX, collapsable, first, last, unread, post

Description:
Allows you to expand/collapse the first, last or first unread post of a thread from FORUMDISPLAY and search results without the need to load the entire thread.

Details:
Upon perusing the wonderful deals over at slickdeals.net, I noticed this nifty feature which caught my eye. I found it quite useful as most people have a bad habit of not being very descriptive with their thread titles. This little trick made my browsing experience much more enjoyable, so naturally I had to borrow [read: shamelessly rip] the idea.

Please note that no additional queries are added, unless using the 'First Unread Post' option. Otherwise, the only queries performed are the same as those when a thread is normally viewed.

The magic behind this modification is performed by jQuery: The Write Less, Do More, JavaScript Library.

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Usage:
Simply click the expand icon [+] in front of the thread title to expand, and the collapse icon [-] to collapse. Rocket science, eh?

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Installation:

1. Download and unzip the ajax_first_post.zip archive.
2. Upload necessary files to their respective locations. (Attention custom style users! Be sure to upload the images to your custom image directory.)
3. Import the product-ajax_first_post.xml via the Product Manager.
4. Make any desired configuration changes via AdminCP > vBulletin Options > Collapsable First Post using AJAX
5. ???
6. Profit!

Notes:
All template modifications are made automatically. They attach to pretty common text locations, so modified styles shouldn't* be a problem.

However, for those who wish (or need) to perform the edits manually, you can find that information here.

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Comments:
As with all my hacks, this modification is provided free of charge. However, if you find this product useful and have money burning a hole in your pocket, feel free to make a small donation, I won't mind.. really.

Version History:

• 1.0.0 - Initial release, here's to hoping...
• 1.1.0
  • Fixed JavaScript errors when using search.
  • Resolved (known) cross browser compatibility issues.
• 1.2.0
  • New AdminCP configuration options:
    • Ability to select first or last post to be displayed.
    • Ability to disable on a per forum basis.
    • Option to update thread views when expanded.
    • Option to disable automatic template editing with a single click.
  • Tweaked a couple plugins to prevent unnecessary checking.
  • Properly registers in Who's Online
• 1.2.1
  • Will no longer show expand icon next to thread redirects.
  • Added ability to display first unread post.
  • Completely revamped the automatic template editing system. Should now be able to make template edits to even the most modified templates as well.
  • Fixed a couple non-breaking typos.
  • Included JavaScript in USERCP_SHELL to allow expand/collapse of subscribed threads.
  • Added a hover title to the expand icon to inform the user what they can expect when clicking it.

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Tips, Tricks and Modifications:

• Fix for users of passiveVid receiving Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /includes/class_postbit.php(296) : eval()'d code on line [#]

Currently Known Bugs:

• None

* Please note that this modification was developed on a forum with a userbase of 1 (myself). I've tested it for basic functionality but I cannot guarantee functionality or behavior on your forum. So, please -- make backups before installing this product!

[magnus]

Originally Posted by hichew

i tried this on my forum... and it's a mess.... my db server load jump to 1700 !!!
anybody use this mod and optimize the code?

i do like this mod..

my post table is 11 gig

I couldn't have said it better than dbembibre did above me. By default, this does not add any additional load on the server.

[hichew]

ahhh.. seems like this not the problem.
i think the "Welcome headers - Improve community registration rates" is the problem.
let me try it again, and get back to you guys.

thank you

[yoyoyoyo]

this is not working on my new forum - I tried it with and without the automatic template edits. When I click on the + it does not open the post with ajax, it acts as if you clicked the post and takes you to the thread itself. I had it working in another forum, with pretty much all of the same mods installed and can't imagine what the conflict might be now. I double-checked and all of the files are uploaded to the proper places...

any idea where to start looking?

[afmarko99]

Simple but so awesome. This brings a whole new way to surf my forums.

Thanks a ton.

[yoyoyoyo]

I did some testing and on my forum this does work for guests who are not logged in, but if you are logged in and click on the + then the graphic ajax thingy starts spinning but then it takes you to the actual post. Any ideas on how to fix that?

[Booost This]

I just installed it on my forum, followed the directions and no dice. I don't even get the (+/-) signs.

Any clue? I don't think it can be that hard to screw up the install? It said everything installed ok?

[gforce75]

5 stars in my book! Works perfect. Demo links also check it ...

http://myffnet.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=127

[Trana]

Has anybody gotten this to work in the VBA CMPS recentposts module?

Thanks!

[Jaxel]

This mod is GREAT! But it completely kills the AJAX title editing on my forum. I cant do inline title editing with this script. The form field for the edit comes up, but when I change the title, I get a JavaScript error. It also breaks the locking mechanism... anyone else have these issues?

[Newfarm]

Have / had the "undefined function: fetch_coventry() " issue as well, added the custom plugin that hooked into usercp. Now it doesn't crash anymore, but it doesn't work for subscribed threads either. Great little hack though