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!

[glorify]

Originally Posted by magnus

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

Is that for legacy as well?

[magnus]

Originally Posted by glorify

Is that for legacy as well?

There is no vbpost_postbit_legacy. There is only 1 template. You design it to look however you like. I opted to release it looking like the normal 'legacy' template.

[rayw]

Upgraded to 1.2.1 and everything appears to be working great.

Thanks a lot for this.

[Slave]

Installed 1.2.1 .. seems to be working (I've always used auto templates)

I've now got it set to show the first unread post .. but I notice that when you've already read the thread and you have no new posts it still says "Click here to read the first unread post" any chance of having that as "Click here to read the last post"? .. and when a post is showing to have it say "Click here to close this post" .. It would just make it a bit cleaner

Any luck with the forward/back links for the post? (to show the next post without having to go into the thread) .. or are you expecting us to add that ourselves?

Not sure you saw my idea about polls as you didn't respond? .. thanks

[subnet_rx]

What does this mod do to views? Are views still accurately recorded when a post is viewed using this addon?

[magnus]

Originally Posted by subnet_rx

What does this mod do to views? Are views still accurately recorded when a post is viewed using this addon?

It's a toggle in the AdminCP. You can either have it track views or not.

[magnus]

Originally Posted by Slave

Installed 1.2.1 .. seems to be working (I've always used auto templates)

I've now got it set to show the first unread post .. but I notice that when you've already read the thread and you have no new posts it still says "Click here to read the first unread post" any chance of having that as "Click here to read the last post"? .. and when a post is showing to have it say "Click here to close this post" .. It would just make it a bit cleaner

Any luck with the forward/back links for the post? (to show the next post without having to go into the thread) .. or are you expecting us to add that ourselves?

Not sure you saw my idea about polls as you didn't respond? .. thanks

The forward/back links will be a bit tricky, I'll put it under the future development category.

Polls, I'll take a look at.

I'll also make appropriate changes to the hover text in the next release.

[blastup]

i got some problems.. when i click on the expand button.. it don't show anything.. i double click it.. it could now edit.. the threads title.. that is some wierd bug.. check out http://blastup.com/forumdisplay.php?f=11 help would be appreciated. thanx

[ragtek]

i like your hack very much

now i have added a toolbox to the link so the 1. post(saved in the link title tag) is shown on mouseover
the last is shown with your hack

its realy fine

[magnus]

Originally Posted by blastup

i got some problems.. when i click on the expand button.. it don't show anything.. i double click it.. it could now edit.. the threads title.. that is some wierd bug.. check out http://blastup.com/forumdisplay.php?f=11 help would be appreciated. thanx

I visited your link, but apparently the hack is not loaded. The problems are you describing are indicative of not loading the JavaScript.

Verify the following:

• That vbulletin_vbpost.js and jquery.js both reside in your clientscript directory.
• That Automatic Template Editing is enable in the AdminCP.
• That the JavaScript(s) are being properly loaded. Click on a forum, select "View Source" and search for the above JavaScript files.