Shrink Old Posts in Thread

Hi all,

This is a brand new addition to my own BB, so I don't even know how my own users will react to it, let alone how you guys would

Hack Description:

• Posts you have already read in a thread, will show up with their header only (a row that includes the username, post subject and date only). New posts only will appear in full.
• This is user selectable via the 'Edit Options' page: each user can decide if he wants this option on or not. (By default all existing and new users will have this turned Off).
• A link at the top of the thread offers to "expand all" posts or "contact all" posts.
• by clicking on the + sign on a shruk post, it will expand without the page reloading. By clicking on the - sign on an expanded post, it will shrink without the page reloading.
• [high]this option is available for your IE users only! Netscape users will see no difference and will not be affected anyway at all by the change[/high]

How to install:

• Please download the attached zipfile.
• Upload plus.gif and minus.gif to your images directory
• Upload install_contractposts.php to your admin directory and run that script.

Note: there are quite a few changes to make (primarily additions, not replacements) to the vb scripts and templates. The process should take you several minutes, so I recommend you close your Bulletin Board while installing the hack.

Demo:

You are welcome to visit my Bulletin Board, at http://www.atlasf1.com , to see what the additions look like. To test it in full (ie, the option of old posts being shrunk by default), you will have to register and modify your options after you have received your password.

Cheers,

Bira

[VirtueTech]

Does this hack cause a large increase of server resources for a large forum?

[bira]

VirtueTech, the actual expand/contract is javascript. Therefore, it's client side. So I can't see how it will increase load.

In any event, if my board is anything to go by, it made no difference. And I think my board is relatively large.

[VirtueTech]

I checked the option on this board to contract all read posts....and it contracts all posts in every thread...even those I have not read.

However your post here was not contracted. Any ideas why?

[bira]

VirtueTech, it works based on what is considered "unread" by vBulletin. If you leave now and come back in 20 minutes, only posts made in the last 20 minutes or so will be expanded - because that's what is considered by vBulletin to be 'new/unread posts'.

[VirtueTech]

Gotcha.

That is the best way I guess to save on queries. Would be more efficient if it was traked better. Not your fault...just saying.

Thanks for this hack bira...I can't wait to install it.

[Sadie Frost]

Hi! I cannot find this line in showthread.php:

Step 2 of 2 FIND:

getforumrules($forum,$getperms);

As no one else has had this problem, I have to think it's something I'm doing wrong. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks so much! (And awesome hack bira, can't wait to get it working )

I have v 2.2.1

[bira]

Hi Sadie,

You should find getforumrules($forum,$getperms); at the very end of the script.

The original 2.2.1 showthread.php looks like this at the end:

getforumrules($forum,$getperms);

updateuserforum($thread['forumid']);

eval("dooutput(\"".gettemplate("showthread")."\");");

?>

[inetd]

I have overlooked to insert the code in register_adult when have installed hack. You could not remind it?

[bira]

inetd, run the installer from the first post in your admin directory. Select 'UPGRADE' -- you'll get all the info you need there.

[VirtueTech]

Does this hack add any considerable load to a server.

It seems to have on my system.