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!

[rjmjr69]

Originally Posted by magnus

Great! I'll send you a copy via PM. Also, before installing the beta -- try the attached threadbit. See if that resolves the errors.

Ok that template now works fine but it still does not update the post count.

[magnus]

Post count? What post count? I'm glad the errors are gone, but could you try the Forum Exclusion List and tell me if it's actually working now? Just put any active Forum ID and see if the expand/collapse icons still display.

[rjmjr69]

I'm sorry the THREAD VIEW count is not moving. The beta installed without a hitch. Still no thread view count going up but it did install without any issues and is working.

Thanks

[magnus]

So far so good. We should be ready for a release soon. Yay!

[magnus]

Ok, for those receiving errors when modifying the templates manually. See the original post for updated template modifications. The only modifications were to the threadbit template. Nothing else has changed.

[Slave]

If a thread is also a poll, how about having an option of either showing the poll or posts? .. maybe make it so clicking the poll icon shows the poll?

Have a think

[apdcanari]

Originally Posted by magnus

This hack is for 3.6. I haven't tested it on 3.5, but I don't see why it wouldn't work.

It would take 5 minutes for you to try it.

Ouip, but doesn't work in 3.5 (queries).

C?dric

[magnus]

Originally Posted by apdcanari

Ouip, but doesn't work in 3.5 (queries).

C?dric

Good to know. I've released a vB3.5 compatible version. You can find it here.

[Domski]

Nevermind me.... i put the images in the ~/images/buttons folder and not the ~/images/MY TEMPLATE/buttons

[Mark.B]

Nice work.

One thing I've noticed, is that the vB drop down menu that should pop up when you click on the username, only works in Firefox and not IE...in IE it just takes you to the full profile page.

I've tried copying the original code from postbit_lagacy and it still doesn't work.

Anyone know why this is?