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!

[magnus]

Originally Posted by Mark.B

Nice work.

One thing I've noticed, is that the vB drop down menu that should pop up when you click on the username, only works in Firefox and not IE...in IE it just takes you to the full profile page.

I've tried copying the original code from postbit_lagacy and it still doesn't work.

Anyone know why this is?

Nice find. I just verified it on my setup, too. I'll take a look at it.

[Mark.B]

I'm also finding that the exclude forums feature isn't working, I have used manual template edits but I can't get that to work. The admin panel stores the forum IDs but the feature still operates in those forums.

[GrendelKhan{TSU]

AWESOME!!

installed. working great 3.6.0



FYI: couldn't do the automatic though...didn't work. I think its because if you vbplaza has slight change in the div tag for:

$thread[title_editable]
<div>


(that's the only difference I noticed)

[GrendelKhan{TSU]

ps. any chance for a vbadvanced cmps module?

[subnet_rx]

great hack, waiting for 1.2.1 to come out.

[magnus]

Originally Posted by Mark.B

I'm also finding that the exclude forums feature isn't working, I have used manual template edits but I can't get that to work. The admin panel stores the forum IDs but the feature still operates in those forums.

Yea, I was worried about that. It works fine with the automatic template edits, but for some reason the array isn't being passed when using manual edits. The next release should allow you to successfully use the automatic template edits, which in turn, will allow the forum exclusion to work correctly as well.

I think I can probably get 1.2.1 out today.

[magnus]

Originally Posted by GrendelKhan{TSU

ps. any chance for a vbadvanced cmps module?

I don't understand, what would a module of this do for vBA CMPS?

[magnus]

Originally Posted by GrendelKhan{TSU

AWESOME!!

installed. working great 3.6.0



FYI: couldn't do the automatic though...didn't work. I think its because if you vbplaza has slight change in the div tag for:

$thread[title_editable]
<div>


(that's the only difference I noticed)

Yea, rjmjr69 uses vBPlaza and he beta tested v1.2.1. The automatic template edits are working for him now.

[magnus]

Update:
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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I would seriously suggest removing any manual template edits you may have performed for the previous versions (except modified vbpost_postbit templates). This new version employs advanced automatic template editing logic which should have absolutely no problem performing the edits to modified templates, except in the most rare circumstances (note: I've yet to find one).

To upgrade, simply overwrite the existing files and import the product as usual.

[TTG]

Updated to 1.2.1 and now have two ajax icons alongside latest posts ?