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!

[dbirosel]

Originally Posted by TheMilkCarton

I'll be adding it regardless, but don't you think adding a reply button would be a good addition to your product anyway?

I'm also trying to figure out how to make this product more obvious, without being annoying. I don't think anyone has the slightest clue I added this product, and an announcement or post about it wouldn't do much good. haha

What i did was mass PM everyone about it and directing them to this tutorial:

http://www.caraudiojunkyard.com/foru...ng-thread.html

[TheMilkCarton]

I had another idea about adding an "Exclude Usergroups" option. Not sure if you'll like it as much as my "Exclude Forums" idea, but I thought I'd suggest it anyway.

I just thought that this might get pretty server-intensive if all guests can use it, so I'd like to make it an incentive to sign up! And that's another thing, dbirosel, I can't PM guests to tell them about it, so I might as well just not let them use it.

[dbirosel]

Originally Posted by TheMilkCarton

I had another idea about adding an "Exclude Usergroups" option. Not sure if you'll like it as much as my "Exclude Forums" idea, but I thought I'd suggest it anyway.

I just thought that this might get pretty server-intensive if all guests can use it, so I'd like to make it an incentive to sign up! And that's another thing, dbirosel, I can't PM guests to tell them about it, so I might as well just not let them use it.

Earlier in this thread, that this can't be server-intensive. He said it should run, just like how it should when regularly viewing a thread.

[Slave]

Wonderful hack, thank you!

A few suggestions ..

"View next/previous post in thread" links .. perhaps just << and >> links to enable a whole thread to be read from the forumdisplay page

Quote/reply buttons .. which would take you to the advanced post page

Ability to edit the number of posts to show in Admin CP .. so instead of just one, perhaps 2 or 3 etc ..

Ability to pick "First unread post" in the Admin CP as well as "First post" and "Last Post" ..

Edit button (if poster) .. yes I want the world!!

[magnus]

Originally Posted by Slave

Ability to pick "First unread post" in the Admin CP as well as "First post" and "Last Post" ..

I really like this idea.

Not to devalue your other ideas, but those have all already been mentioned and are being considered.. but the one above, that's gold. Thanks!

[4x4 Mecca]

I've edited the postbit just to show the user name, and nothing else on the left, changed the column width, and made attachments not show up, rather a message saying to view the thread to see attachments. Also there is an edit button and a reply button
http://www.4x4mecca.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=36

Magnus, if you want this removed, I'll do it, just PM me

<table id="post$post[postid]" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" border="0" width="100%" align="center">
<tr valign="top">
	<td class="alt2" width="64">
			
			<div id="postmenu_$post[postid]">
				<if condition="$show['profile']">
				<a class="smallfont" href="member.php?$session[sessionurl]u=$post[userid]">$post[musername]</a>
				<script type="text/javascript"> vbmenu_register("postmenu_$post[postid]", true); </script>
				<else />
				$post[musername]
				</if>
			</div>		
	</td>
	<if condition="$show['moderated']">
	<td class="alt2" id="td_post_$post[postid]" style="border-right: $stylevar[cellspacing]px solid $stylevar[tborder_bgcolor]">
	<else />
	<td class="alt1" id="td_post_$post[postid]" style="border-right: $stylevar[cellspacing]px solid $stylevar[tborder_bgcolor]">
	</if>
	
		
		
		<!-- message -->
		<div id="post_message_$post[postid]">$post[message]</div>
		<!-- / message -->
	
		<if condition="$show['attachments']">
_______________<p>
			<b>*** Please View Thread for Attachments ***</b>
			</if>
			
			</div>
		<!-- / attachments -->
		</if>
		
		<if condition="$show['postedited']">
		<!-- edit note -->
			<div class="smallfont">			<hr size="1" style="color:$stylevar[tborder_bgcolor]" />
				<em>
				<phrase 1="$post[edit_username]" 2="$post[edit_date]" 3="$post[edit_time]">$vbphrase[last_edited_by_x_on_y_at_z]</phrase>.
				<if condition="$post['edit_reason']">$vbphrase[reason]: $post[edit_reason]</if>
				</em>
			</div>
		<!-- / edit note -->
		</if>
		<!-- controls -->

<if condition="$post['editlink']">
<img style="display: none" id="progress_$postid" src="$stylevar[imgdir_misc]/progress.gif" alt="$vbphrase[loading_editor_please_wait]" />

<a href="$post[editlink]" name="vB::QuickEdit::$post[postid]">
<img src="$stylevar[imgdir_button]/edit.gif" alt="$vbphrase[edit_delete_message]" border="0" /></a>
		</if>

		<if condition="$post['replylink']">
			<a href="$post[replylink]" rel="nofollow"><img src="$stylevar[imgdir_button]/reply_small.gif" alt="$vbphrase[reply_with_quote]" border="0" /></a>
		</if>

		<if condition="$show['quickreply'] AND !$show['threadedmode']">
			<a href="$post[replylink]" rel="nofollow" id="qr_$post[postid]" onclick="return false"><img src="$stylevar[imgdir_button]/quickreply.gif" alt="$vbphrase[quick_reply_to_this_message]" border="0" /></a>
		</if>
		<!-- / controls -->
	
	</td>
</tr>
</table>

<!-- post $post[postid] popup menu -->
<div class="vbmenu_popup" id="postmenu_$post[postid]_menu" style="display:none">
	<table cellpadding="4" cellspacing="1" border="0">
	<tr>
		<td class="thead">$post[username]</td>
	</tr>
	<if condition="$show['profile']">
		<tr><td class="vbmenu_option"><a href="member.php?$session[sessionurl]u=$post[userid]">$vbphrase[view_public_profile]</a></td></tr>
	</if>
	<if condition="$show['pmlink']">
		<tr><td class="vbmenu_option"><a href="private.php?$session[sessionurl]do=newpm&amp;u=$post[userid]" rel="nofollow"><phrase 1="$post[username]">$vbphrase[send_private_message_to_x]</phrase></a></td></tr>
	</if>
	<if condition="$show['emaillink']">
		<tr><td class="vbmenu_option"><a href="sendmessage.php?$session[sessionurl]do=mailmember&amp;u=$post[userid]" rel="nofollow"><phrase 1="$post[username]">$vbphrase[send_email_to_x]</phrase></a></td></tr>
	</if>
	<if condition="$show['homepage']">
		<tr><td class="vbmenu_option"><a href="$post[homepage]"><phrase 1="$post[username]">$vbphrase[visit_xs_homepage]</phrase></a></td></tr>
	</if>
	<if condition="$show['search']">
		<tr><td class="vbmenu_option"><a href="search.php?$session[sessionurl]do=finduser&amp;u=$post[userid]" rel="nofollow"><phrase 1="$post[username]">$vbphrase[find_more_posts_by_x]</phrase></a></td></tr>
	</if>
	<if condition="$post['userid'] AND $show['member']">
	<tr><td class="vbmenu_option"><a href="profile.php?$session[sessionurl]do=addlist&amp;userlist=buddy&amp;u=$post[userid]"><phrase 1="$post[username]">$vbphrase[add_x_to_buddy_list]</phrase></a></td></tr>
	</if>
	</table>
</div>
<!-- / post $post[postid] popup menu -->

[dbirosel]

how do you add a reply button?

[magnus]

Originally Posted by 4x4 Mecca

Magnus, if you want this removed, I'll do it, just PM me

I'd never ask you (or anyone) to not provide any customizations. That's the whole point of vBulletin.org -- to share ideas. By all means, share whatever you think anyone could benefit from.

As a sidenote, you no longer need to include <!-- vbpost ok --> at the top of your templates. I've phased that check out in 1.2.

[magnus]

Originally Posted by dbirosel

how do you add a reply button?

Just view your original postbit_legacy template, find the reply button block of code, cut and paste.

The vbpost_postbit template is nothing more than a copy/paste of the default postbit_legacy with a few visual modifications. In fact, you could just cut and paste the entire default postbit_legacy into vbpost_postbit if you so desired.

[StuntFactoryX]

ive been watching this for a few days. in the early posts there were reports of alot of database errors and i seen you guys working hard to sort out the bugs. the current version close to stable and bug free?