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!

[vitrag24]

does it increases loading time & load on server?
anyways,nice mod.

[Jaxel]

ANyone who has this mod installed on their forums... would you mind checking to see if your AJAX title editing and locking is working correctly?

[Mark.B]

Originally Posted by Jaxel

ANyone who has this mod installed on their forums... would you mind checking to see if your AJAX title editing and locking is working correctly?

Yup I've been using this for many months and those features are all fine.

[vitrag24]

Originally Posted by vitrag24

does it increases loading time & load on server?
anyways,nice mod.

reply this query please.
thanks.

[AWJunkies]

This is an awesome mod I love it. I found a place that the icon shows up but the function does not work. usercp.php file under new subscribed threads. is there a way to get this to work as well? Also if the thread is an event it grabs the first post and not the event which is technically the first post. Is there a way to fix this to work to grab event details instead of post below it?

[supramati]

I Just loved it! Thanks a lot!

[Jaxel]

Originally Posted by Mark.B

Yup I've been using this for many months and those features are all fine.

Thats weird... I disabled all other mods on my forums and defaulted to the original templates and it still doesnt work for me.

[mulesnx]

Has anyone got this working with vbadvanced? Is it really hard to do this?

[adam75south]

i installed the mod on my board, but only works with the default template. the rest it doesn't hurt, but just doesn't show up. guess i'll just do the manual edit.

[magnus]

Originally Posted by adam75south

i installed the mod on my board, but only works with the default template. the rest it doesn't hurt, but just doesn't show up. guess i'll just do the manual edit.

It's strange it didn't work on a custom template. The only way I would assume it didn't work is if the custom template is rather heavily modified. Either way, yes, manual edits would be your only option at that point. It's not really a big deal, it's a quick/simple edit.