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

[ArnyVee]

Originally Posted by IdanB

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

I'm available now until later tonight Idan. :up:

[Darkgardevoir]

it works now, but it has a problem with https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=177946 can you fix it?

[troll2]

I installed the latest version of Article Forums which I also use. It looks like their handling of theadbit may have overwritten some of your code, as the Last Post avatar and title does not show anymore. I cannot confirm that this is the actual cause of the problem.

[IdanB]

On weekend i'll take a look with ArnyVee about the tabbed forum home mod compatibility.

In general i'll say about any other mod(s)-compatibility issues: i can try to take a look, but it really depands on how other mods were implanted. If they are also based on "template replace", i'm not sure it's possible to make all co-exists without doing some manual edits.

Also remember this mod is a re-work of template and not mere add of block into existing template.

[IdanB]

v1.1.4 is already underway, and several fixes were already made.

Current list of stuff already fixed/added:

• New template - now the replaced template html located on master style template, so everyone can edit for his own needs.
• bug fix: date/time string was missing proper support for "S" & "j" chars - now fixed & working.
• admincp new features:
  1. set width/height of pictures shown.
  2. allow selection between avatar to profile picture.

Now working on solving the non-english chars bugs found by goxy63. Will do my best to find proper regexp there.

About Tabbed Forum Home modification conflict, i need your co-op as i dont have this modification installed myself. I've left ArnyVee pm about his msn, but got no reply yet.
At worst case, that fix will have to wait till next rev.

[ArnyVee]

I responded to your PM Idan. I'm on vacation, but I have my laptop with me so I might be able to log on later tonight or tomorrow night.

[blind-eddie]

Thanks IdanB

[IdanB]

v.1.1.4 uploaded & now online.
The mod conflicts (tabbed home) & Cyrillic/Latin possible missing chars support are not fixed yet. See changelog for complete changes made.

[Hasann]

How many queries ? in this version..

[IdanB]

Amount of queries should be the same as previous version(s).
The "profile pic" support is alternate query to the avatar picture query.
All the rest of features added are mere variable / admincp options / php code, that does not require any SQL queries or affect stability.
The new template added is cached, so shouldnt be any problem...