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!

[aveon]

wow man nice hack thanx for this i just love ajax

[KevNJ]

will be installing this when i get home. awesome mod!

[4x4 Mecca]

<a href="http://www.4x4mecca.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=36" target="_blank">http://www.4x4mecca.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=36</a>
I get an error message when I try. The plus sign is there, but what I see is "There was an error. Please try again."

[magnus]

For those who have problems with the automatic template edits, or who just like to do things the hard way, here are the template edits required:

First, disable the automatic template edits:

• Browse to AdminCP > vBulletin Options > Collapsable First Post Using AJAX Options
• Select No for Enable Automatic Template Editing

Now perform the following template edits:

In FORUMDISPLAY -

FIND:

$headinclude

ADD AFTER:

<script type="text/javascript" src="clientscript/jquery.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="clientscript/vbulletin_vbpost.js"></script>

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In search_results -

FIND:

$headinclude

ADD AFTER:

<script type="text/javascript" src="clientscript/jquery.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="clientscript/vbulletin_vbpost.js"></script>

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[CHANGED IN 1.2] In threadbit -

FIND: (should be the first line)

<tr>

REPLACE WITH:

<tr<if condition="empty($ajax_firstpost_excluded) || !in_array($forumid, $ajax_firstpost_excluded)"> <if condition="$vbulletin->options['ajax_firstpost_firstlast']">id="vbpostrow_$thread[lastpostid]"<else />id="vbpostrow_$thread[firstpostid]"</if></if>>

FIND:

		$thread[title_editable]
		<div>

ADD AFTER:

				<if condition="empty($ajax_firstpost_excluded) || !in_array($forumid, $ajax_firstpost_excluded)"><img id="vbpostimg_<if condition="$vbulletin->options['ajax_firstpost_firstlast']">$thread[lastpostid]<else />$thread[firstpostid]</if>" src="$stylevar[imgdir_button]/expand.gif" onclick="return vbpost_get(<if condition="$vbulletin->options['ajax_firstpost_firstlast']">$thread[lastpostid]<else />$thread[firstpostid]</if>)" onMouseOver="this.style.cursor='pointer';" /></if>

[magnus]

Originally Posted by 4x4 Mecca

http://www.4x4mecca.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=36
I get an error message when I try. The plus sign is there, but what I see is "There was an error. Please try again."

Hrm.. that error appears when the script is unable to pull data. However, I tested the backend on your site and it seems to be working: http://www.4x4mecca.com/forum/vbpost...p?postid=12979

Let me nose around a bit.

[magnus]

@4x4 Mecca:

Redownload the archive and upload/overwrite your existing vbpost_ajax.php with the new one. Let me know if that fixes it.

[4x4 Mecca]

Thanks! I just edited the teplates manually just incase that was the problem. It still isn't working.

[4x4 Mecca]

Error is still there. Any idea what might be interfering?

[Lionel]

Originally Posted by 4x4 Mecca

http://www.4x4mecca.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=36
I get an error message when I try. The plus sign is there, but what I see is "There was an error. Please try again."

same for me