Improved Thread Preview Hack

The idea for this hack was originally that of Parker Clack, a regular here on vBulletin.org.

What this hack does:
Basically, this hack pops up a little box/window when the mouse is run over a thread title that shows the first three hundred characters of the first post in the thread (that is, the post that started the thread).

Improvements to Parker Clack's hack:

• Far, far less code...
• Easier installation (one file edit, one template edit)...
• Less space usage...the beginning of the first post in each thread is not stored twice - only once now!...

Versions:
3.0: Overgrow's search page thread preview instructions.
2.1: Added some necessary instructions.
2.0 Reduced MySQL queries significantly.
1.0 Initial release.

Comments appreciated...

A version for vbHacker is available here - note: some files may need fixing afterward if they present parse errors!

How to Censor Previews (by nakkid)
See page seven of this thread.

A very important security fix is available here - I have not updated the ZIP, so install it after you install the hack

[Snapperhaed]

I installed this on 2.3 #3 and could not get it to work.
I entered the code line for line, checked and double checked.
While I get no errors, I do not get anything on the mouse over.

I installed the 'tpinstall.php' is the forums/admin directory. Perhaps that was the problem. The install doesnt specify, unless I over looked it. Any suggestions, help and or tips?

Looking forward to proper operation!

EDIT:

After picking at it a little more, I noticed that it would NOT show posts which existed BEFORE installing this hack, however it DOES show the preview on NEW posts. Guess thats all that matters, or am I incorrect in assuming it would show prior posts?

[N!ck]

are you sure you ran tpinstall.php?

[Rynthar]

In VB 2.3.0, whenever I try to run tpinstall.php I get a mysql 1060 error after I try to go to step 2

[Kars10]

Hi N!ck, is there a way to integrate this hack in the online.php for the Threads the users read (vB3 Style)?

Thanks in advance
Kars

[94supratt]

How do i un install this totally?

[Marty McFly]

when trying to run the tpinstall.php i get this error:

----------------
Database error in vBulletin 2.3.0:

Invalid SQL: ALTER TABLE thread ADD firstpostid INT(10) UNSIGNED DEFAULT '0' NOT NULL
mysql error: Duplicate column name 'firstpostid'

mysql error number: 1060

Date: Thursday 01st of May 2003 08:49:37 PM
Script: http://www.purekaos.com/board/~purek...all.php?step=2
Referer:
--------------------

any ideas?

[translucent]

Is there any way to increase the number of characters shown and to display line breaks?

[hukgwai]

any reason why it stops responding during step 2?

[Chazz Layne]

Installed great and is running perfect here (2.2.9), but I ran into a problem with vBMyIndex shortly after. Somehow, it's preventing the News (and the add-on PotD I built) from showing anything posted since Thread Preview was installed. As much as I hate vBPortal, I must admit it is probably the same problem that dotagious ran into a couple pages back with his setup.

I'll poke around some and see what I can find in there... any one else had any luck with this issue?

[Chazz Layne]

Cool, found and fixed. As dotagious had narrowed down earlier it is in newthread.php. When you're adding in the sections in there, instead of replacing the whole area, just add the small query to the bottom. The original query is still the same... I. E....

PHP Code:

      $DB_site->query("INSERT INTO post (postid,threadid,title,username,userid,dateline,attachmentid,pagetext,allowsmilie,showsignature,ipaddress,iconid,visible,isnews) VALUES (NULL,'$threadid','".addslashes(htmlspecialchars($subject))."','".addslashes($postusername)."','$bbuserinfo[userid]','".time()."','$attachmentid','".addslashes($message)."','$allowsmilie','$signature','$ipaddress','$iconid','1','Y')");
      $postid=$DB_site->insert_id(); 


^^^^ Keep this, with whatever modifications you have done to make your portal software work.

Instead, just add this additional part (from Thread Preview) below it...

PHP Code:

      $DB_site->query("UPDATE thread SET firstpostid = '$postid' WHERE threadid = '$threadid'"); 


I don't have vB Portal installed to test it, but I am pretty sure this would fix the problem with that as well since they are built simillar at this point.