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!

[category]

clicks install also is there anything that can make the user column where they put avator smaller and all their info thinner

[magnus]

Originally Posted by TTG

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

You didn't remove the manual template edits. Look for expand.gif in your threadbit template, and remove that line.

[magnus]

Originally Posted by category

clicks install also is there anything that can make the user column where they put avator smaller and all their info thinner

You can edit the vbpost_postbit template to look however you like.

[Mark.B]

Couple of points I have found on the new release which I hope are helpful. (I am now on automatic template edits)

1) I can't seem to make it go to the first unread post, it still does the first post in the thread for me.

2) Although excluding certain forums works in forumdisplay, it doesn't work in search_results.

3) Guests viewing thread lists that do not have rights to view posts still get the icon, but when they click the icon it just gives the "loading" gif permanently. With manual edits I was able to fix this using a simple template conditional, however with auto-edits it's going to need something in the plugin code. Again would be better if the icon was hidden.

[magnus]

[QUOTE=Mark.B;1236535]Couple of points I have found on the new release which I hope are helpful. (I am now on automatic template edits)

1) I can't seem to make it go to the first unread post, it still does the first post in the thread for me.

Are you sure there's a post in the thread marked as unread? It's weird that it would go to the first post because if you have 'First Unread Post' set and there is no unread posts, it defaults to the Last Post.

I'll look at it.

2) Although excluding certain forums works in forumdisplay, it doesn't work in search_results.

This is known, I'm trying to find a way to filter search results through the exclusion filter.

3) Guests viewing thread lists that do not have rights to view posts still get the icon, but when they click the icon it just gives the "loading" gif permanently. With manual edits I was able to fix this using a simple template conditional, however with auto-edits it's going to need something in the plugin code. Again would be better if the icon was hidden.

Never thought about that. Easy fix. I'll take care of it.

[Mark.B]

Originally Posted by magnus

Are you sure there's a post in the thread marked as unread? It's weird that it would go to the first post because if you have 'First Unread Post' set and there is no unread posts, it defaults to the Last Post.

Yes, I've done quite extensive testing with it.

As it happens, I cannot make it do "last post" either, it always does first post no matter what the admin cp setting.

[Mark.B]

Aha...got it.

It works in forumdisplay but not in search_results.

In search_results it always goes to the first post regardless of the admin setting.

[Mark.B]

A small tweak that is really very minor but neatens things up a bit.....

Adding:

class=\"inlineimg\"

into the automatic template code for threadbit where the image is displayed will make the image line up neatly with any "view first unread" default vB images that may be next to it.

[magnus]

Originally Posted by Mark.B

Aha...got it.

It works in forumdisplay but not in search_results.

In search_results it always goes to the first post regardless of the admin setting.

Yes, this is correct. By design, it will always return the first post in search_results. The information available in FORUMDISPLAY isn't necessarily availble in the search_results query. It's not that it can't be done, I'm just trying to keep the modification as evasive as possible when it comes to query manipulation.

I haven't written off the idea, I just won't release it until I know for certain it won't cause any future hiccups.

[magnus]

Originally Posted by Mark.B

A small tweak that is really very minor but neatens things up a bit.....

Adding:

class=\"inlineimg\"

into the automatic template code for threadbit where the image is displayed will make the image line up neatly with any "view first unread" default vB images that may be next to it.

Good idea, thanks.