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!

[baz_kingfish]

Mangus,
Any chance you'll ever implement the suggestion I gave you about Expanding/Collapsing the LAST Post when you hit the little blue arrow in the default vB "Last Post" field? This would allow users to hit your little plus/minus sign to expand/collapse the First/First Unread Post and then hit the default vB blue arrow to expand/collapse the Last Post. A user could then get a good overview of the recent thread activity before clicking into it to read it in its entirety. You liked this suggestion when I submitted it before...so, I was just wondering if/when you might be uploading another update that has this feature?

BTW, I love this hack and use it regularly!
Thanks,
KF

[codershark]

dont works on vb3.7 RC1 (its load only and show nothing)

[magnus]

Originally Posted by codershark

dont works on vb3.7 RC1 (its load only and show nothing)

As you can tell from previous posts, it works fine. Verify that you've copied the files to the correct locations. There's not much else I can help you with without having a URL to check.

[codershark]

perhaps the problem is vbseo ? I use vbseo and when I click on the plus-picture it show me only the load-image and nothing else.

[magnus]

Again, check your file locations. Verify that vbpost_ajax.php is in your root directory. I use vbSEO as well, with no ill effects.

There's not much I can do other than speculate without seeing it first hand.

[codershark]

I have checked all file, with the same result

[codershark]

Now I have change the jquery.js file against the newest (1.2.3) and now it works fine, but when I click on the minus-button it dont close...

[tobias_t]

Which edits needs to be made so that the function only shows up for certain usergroups? I would like to limit it to moderators at first.

[ThomasR]

I had to disable this plugin, because I had a php error when trying to access the usercp :

Fatal error: Call to undefined function fetch_coventry() in /my/server/path/forums/www/usercp.php(503) : eval()'d code on line 21

Everything was workng fine yesterday, I didn't edit/change a file for a week.

[toucan42]

Have upgraded to 3.7RC3 and it no longer works. It displays the plus icon but clicking it just makes the image disappear and does not open the preview. I have tried both the manual and auto template edits. This was working for me prior to the RC3 release