Forum Display Enhancements - Alternate Last Post Display

Alternate Last Post Display
By: Idan B.

1. Description & Usage:
Alternate Last Post hack will allow the forum admin to make the "Last Post" column on forum look different (have another/better layout):
Hack will make it with user avatar picture & instead of showing post date, it will show "time diff" since the post (for example: 4 Hours, 5 Minutes ago") - See pictures in attachment for better understanding. :up:
This Hack can be enabled on both Forum Home & forum Display or Forum Display Only.
The hack was develop for request of Theater (request was made here: https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=214212 )
I assumed this request might be "handy" to other users of community, so developed it to be a fully working modification.

2. Installation:
Please click Mark as Installed.
Installation is pretty easy - just download & install:

• Extract zip for product xml & no-avatar picture.
• Goto: AdminCP->Plugin System->Manage Products : Choose "Add/Import Product" and import this product xml (product-alt_last_post.xml)
• Upload the "anonymous_avatar.gif" file onto /images/avatars/ directory. If testing it on your develop board, be sure to upload there as well.

3. Upgrade From Older Version:
1. uninstall previous version
2. Download new version xml & install as instructed in previous section.

4. Configuration:
Once installed, the "Vbulletin Options" under admincp will have extra section:
Section name: "Alternate Last Post Display"

• Enabled ? - Yes/No (default YES)
• Enable on Forum Home ? - Yes/No (default NO)
• Enable on Forum Display ? - Yes/No (default YES)
• Use "Last Post" text as title ? - Yes/No (default YES)
• Show differential time ? - Yes/No (default YES)
• Align "Never" to LEFT ? - Yes/No (default YES)
• Use profile picture instead of avatar ? - Yes/No (default NO)
• Picture width - INT (default: 40)
• Picture height - INT (default: 40)
  

5. Known Bugs:

• Forum Tabbbed modification has known competability with this mod - result it is not showing on forumhome. Currently debugging this one to allow fix on next version.
• v1.1.4 released. Since v.1.1.0 code was re-writeen completely from "scratch" and now it should support multi-languages (other than english) ! Note: Cyrillic & Latin chars reported to have some issues, still under check)
• See changelog below for full description of stuff fixed.

6. TO-DO's LIST (Next Versions):

• Allow thread view option on admincp.
• Other mods (such as Forum Tabbed Modification) conflict fixes - under checking !.
• [S]Admincp option to set avatar width/height.[/S] added in v.1.1.4
• [S]Admincp option to select between profile and avatar picture.[/S] added in v.1.1.4

NOTE: Currently supported format chars for date/time (v1.1.4) are :
Date: "j","d", "m", "n", "F", "M", "Y", "y","S"
Time: "h", "H", "g", "G", "i", "s", "a", "A".
Any other chars will result with Post Time: N/A displayed !

NOTE: i've left v1.1.3 and added in addition the v1.1.4, just in case anyone has problem, he can download old version & rollback.

Enjoy hack & dont forget to click Mark as Installed

[IdanB]

Originally Posted by ArnyVee

Idan, did someone do the Tabbed Forum Home bug fix with you already? I haven't had a chance yet and just checking that you have something to work with already for 1.1.4 on that one.

Not yet.
Do you have msn ?

[IdanB]

Originally Posted by compact123

and add an option to change the icon size you can do?

Already added to TO-DO's list for next version update.

[blind-eddie]

On one of my sites, we use usergroup avatars & members can not change them. Would be nice if we had the option in the admincp/vbulletin options/Alternate Last Post Display to select from Profile pic or Avatar.

Thanks for the hack.

[dancue]

How can I add the word "In" right before the thread title?

[dancue]

Also, would be nice to have something like this incorporated with this mod.

That mod already has a feature to view last post instead of first.

[ArnyVee]

Originally Posted by IdanB

Not yet.
Do you have msn ?

I have MSN, AOL and Yahoo. When would you be available to chat?

[IdanB]

Originally Posted by blind-eddie

On one of my sites, we use usergroup avatars & members can not change them. Would be nice if we had the option in the admincp/vbulletin options/Alternate Last Post Display to select from Profile pic or Avatar.

Thanks for the hack.

Will be added as feature on upcoming version or the next one.
Added to TO-DO's list.

[IdanB]

Originally Posted by ArnyVee

I have MSN, AOL and Yahoo. When would you be available to chat?

I'll try to catch you online on the evenings (when i'm back from work), during next couple of days.

[IdanB]

Originally Posted by dancue

How can I add the word "In" right before the thread title?

Mod has 2 plugins ending with "template change" - check them - thats the template.
There you can add/customize it to your own needs.

[merk_aus]

Wow, looks awesome thanks mate installed without any worries!