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!

[apdcanari]

3.5 please

[YLP1]

This may be a dumb question but if you have a protected forum (for say admins only), does this mod use the forum's permissions or could someone who would not have permission to see a forum or view topics within a forum be able to use this mod to view posts in hidden or protected forum?

Thanks in advance.

[aggiefan]

i really like this mod and dont know if its possible to do this or not but i think it would be even more useful if a basic quick reply was added in so you dont even have to click on the thread to respond.

[dbirosel]

Here's a demo. woot!


http://www.caraudiojunkyard.com/foru...introductions/

[dbirosel]

Suggestion: In some way, have a button or link that says Reply?

[YLP1]

I was thinking this wasn't working but realized that it appears on the forum display and not on the index (forum list page). I mean DUH! I can be ditz sometimes.

I never use the forumdisplay to look at posts, I always click on the last post icon on the index page. Is there a way to add this nifty feature to the forum list page?

Thanks in advance.

[dbirosel]

Originally Posted by YLP1

I was thinking this wasn't working but realized that it appears on the forum display and not on the index (forum list page). I mean DUH! I can be ditz sometimes.

I never use the forumdisplay to look at posts, I always click on the last post icon on the index page. Is there a way to add this nifty feature to the forum list page?

Thanks in advance.

That would be sweet to have this mod on the forumhome. Where when they click the expand, it will show the latest 5 threads?

[YLP1]

Originally Posted by dbirosel

That would be sweet to have this mod on the forumhome. Where when they click the expand, it will show the latest 5 threads?

Oh yessssss indeed! I have been looking for a mod to display like the last 5 or 6 threads! This is definitely on my wish list!!! I could see this mod easily taking the MOTM!


One other question, how do I change the font style of the expanded post to use the small font style as designated by the style?

[magnus]

You can define how the posts looks, add a reply button and the like simply by editing the vbpost_postbit template.

[dbirosel]

Originally Posted by magnus

You can define how the posts looks, add a reply button and the like simply by editing the vbpost_postbit template.

Yea thanks, but some of us here don't know much about coding or designing. It would be great if you can have that as a new addition. At least a reply button or link, that will quote there message.