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!

[JimmDaBimm]

Ajax ftw->installed

Thank you ^^

[magnus]

To anyone experiencing the conditional errors when evaluating the templates, please try the following.

In your AdminCP > vBulletin Options > Collapsable First Post using AJAX Options:

Set the Forum Exclusion List to 0 (zero).

Now, resubmit the template modifications and see if you still receive the error. I'm trying to track down what would be causing this error for some of you, but I can't seem to replicate it on my development forum unfortunately.

This is what's holding up the next release, as I'd like to have this resolved before I put another version out there.

Thanks!

[magnus]

Update:
1.2.1 BETA : PRIVATE BETA. NOT RELEASED.

• 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.

THIS VERSION IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC DOWNLOAD!

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I NEED TESTERS!

While this isn't a major revision, it hopefully addresses the few sporatic issues a few users have been reporting. I'm hoping the alleviate the need to manually edit templates with my revamped automatic template editing system. I will not be releasing any new features until these problems are resolved!

The pre-requisites for testers are as follows:

• Previous automatic template edits did not work for you.
• (optional) You receive a conditional error when applying template edits manually.

If you meet any of the above criteria and wish to lend a hand, let me know. Thanks!

THIS VERSION IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC DOWNLOAD!

[Tralala]

Just installed this... working great. (Tested on Safari.)

Awesome work... thanks, magnus!

A few issues/suggestions:

I see the expand/collapse button appears next to Subscribed Threads in the User CP. But the button doesn't work. If at all possible, could it be made to work? And if not, is there a way to remove the button from appearing next to those threads in the User CP? Since the button doesn't work, after all.

I'd love to see some more options in AdminCP, like the ability to turn off avatars in the expanded post. That'd be a lot easier than manually going in and editing vbpost_postbit.

I'd also like to see an option for the button to only appear next to new/unread threads, and not others. And when the button is clicked, that the status (of the very first post, at least, or whatever post is being displayed) gets marked as "read."

[magnus]

Originally Posted by Tralala

I see the expand/collapse button appears next to Subscribed Threads in the User CP. But the button doesn't work. If at all possible, could it be made to work? And if not, is there a way to remove the button from appearing next to those threads in the User CP? Since the button doesn't work, after all.

Good catch, easy fix. Thanks!

Originally Posted by Tralala

I'd love to see some more options in AdminCP, like the ability to turn off avatars in the expanded post. That'd be a lot easier than manually going in and editing vbpost_postbit.

Hrm. Personally, I feel this is unneeded because editing the template is so simple. However, it seems the majority of people here want specific template modifications (ie. quote, reply, edit) so this may be a way to please everyone.

I'll see what I can do.

Originally Posted by Tralala

I'd also like to see an option for the button to only appear next to new/unread threads, and not others. And when the button is clicked, that the status (of the very first post, at least, or whatever post is being displayed) gets marked as "read."

This is similar to something that was brought up previously that I've been working on. vBulletin provides the following functions:

mark_thread_read();
mark_forum_read();

There's no specific way to mark a POST as read, so unless you want the entire THREAD marked as read, I don't really see a way to do this without basically adding an new post database table to tracking the read status of each post.

What I have done, though, is added the ability to select "First Unread Post" to be displayed. So, when clicked the user will see the first unread post since their last visit. There's also an option in the AdminCP now to Mark Thread as Read when this post is viewed. So, it's configurable to that extent.

[Tralala]

That sounds great, magnus. Thanks so much for your reply and consideration! Looking forward to your updates.

In the meantime I have gone in and tweaked vbpost_postbit to my liking. Mainly just simplifying it, removing the extras I didn't think this needed (location, post count, user title, etc.) Looking great.

Another minor request. When hovering over the button, right now I am seeing the default/standard thread preview popup. (Same as if I'd hover over the thread title itself.) I think it would make more sense if the popup said this instead:

"Click here to see the _x_ post"

(where x = "first," or "last," or "first unread," depending on the Admin CP or User CP settings for this hack.)

So users can better understand what's going on with this new feature.

[magnus]

Originally Posted by Tralala

Another minor request. When hovering over the button, right now I am seeing the default/standard thread preview popup. (Same as if I'd hover over the thread title itself.) I think it would make more sense if the popup said this instead:

"Click here to see the _x_ post"

(where x = "first," or "last," or "first unread," depending on the Admin CP or User CP settings for this hack.)

So users can better understand what's going on with this new feature.

Good idea. Just added that real quick. :up:

[ragtek]

hrhr
waiting vor update*g*

[rjmjr69]

Originally Posted by magnus

To anyone experiencing the conditional errors when evaluating the templates, please try the following.

In your AdminCP > vBulletin Options > Collapsable First Post using AJAX Options:

Set the Forum Exclusion List to 0 (zero).

Now, resubmit the template modifications and see if you still receive the error. I'm trying to track down what would be causing this error for some of you, but I can't seem to replicate it on my development forum unfortunately.

This is what's holding up the next release, as I'd like to have this resolved before I put another version out there.

Thanks!

Still getting these errors when setting forum to 0

The following error occurred when attempting to evaluate this template:

Warning: in_array() [function.in-array]: Wrong datatype for second argument in /includes/adminfunctions_template.php(3596) : eval()'d code on line 1

Warning: in_array() [function.in-array]: Wrong datatype for second argument in /includes/adminfunctions_template.php(3596) : eval()'d code on line 15

This is likely caused by a malformed conditional statement. It is highly recommended that you fix this error before continuing, but you may continue as-is if you wish.


I would be willing to do your beta for you seeing how I am one of the people having this issue

[magnus]

Originally Posted by rjmjr69

Still getting these errors when setting forum to 0

The following error occurred when attempting to evaluate this template:

Warning: in_array() [function.in-array]: Wrong datatype for second argument in /includes/adminfunctions_template.php(3596) : eval()'d code on line 1

Warning: in_array() [function.in-array]: Wrong datatype for second argument in /includes/adminfunctions_template.php(3596) : eval()'d code on line 15

This is likely caused by a malformed conditional statement. It is highly recommended that you fix this error before continuing, but you may continue as-is if you wish.


I would be willing to do your beta for you seeing how I am one of the people having this issue

Great! I'll send you a copy via PM. Also, before installing the beta -- try the attached threadbit. See if that resolves the errors.