Forum Display Enhancements - Collapsable First Post using AJAX (or Last Post!)

[hr]-[/hr]

NOTICE: This is for vBulletin v3.6 ONLY. You can find a v3.5 compatible version here.

[hr]-[/hr]

*** Confirmed working on ALL vBulletin 3.6.x versions! ***

[hr]-[/hr]
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.

[hr]-[/hr]
Usage:
Simply click the expand icon [+] in front of the thread title to expand, and the collapse icon [-] to collapse. Rocket science, eh?

[hr]-[/hr]
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.

[hr]-[/hr]
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.

[hr]-[/hr]
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!

[skooby]

Awesome mod

[l3it3r]

Originally Posted by magnus

Elaborate on "nothing happens" please..

The + shows up next to all the threads, click on it, nothing happens, no errors, nothing. I uninstalled, reinstalled. still nothing.

[magnus]

Originally Posted by l3it3r

The + shows up next to all the threads, click on it, nothing happens, no errors, nothing. I uninstalled, reinstalled. still nothing.

First, verify that the files vbulletin_vbpost.js and jquery.js are in your [b]/clientscript/[b] directory. If the are, then do the following:

Activate the mod. Browse to your forumdisplay page. In your browser, right click. Select View Source. Copy and paste the entire source to a .txt file.

Attach the text file to a post here, or give it to me in a PM. I need to look at it.

[BANDiT600]

My options sets to show last post, but... When I edit any post of the thread and next try to see last post it shows me last edited post, not the last one... It happens in serach results.

[BANDiT600]

"by createdate" change to "order by id"???

Not good that this mod doesn't show last post in search result!!!

But thanks anyway...
/me installed...

[BANDiT600]

And another little bug with alignment of "subscribed" and other icons, see screenshot!

With AJAX:
Attachment 64017

Without AJAX:
Attachment 64016

[Timelord]

Hi Magnus! First of all, I just wanted to say this is a great idea, and from what I've seen, you've implemented it very well. However, I cannot get this to work on my forums. I have determined that it is because of the style I am using, as I have tested it under the default vBulletin style and it works there. However on the style I am using, a slightly modified version of Chestnut (by Allan), no [+] boxes appear to the left of the thread titles. I have attempted manually editing all the templates and letting it do it automatically, both times to no avail. I'm not sure what it is that's causing it but it would seem to relate directly to my style. Is there anything you can suggest that might fix this?

Thanks very much!

[Dr. Bantham]

This looks like a wonderful mod, but it is not working for me. The graphic appears in my default template, but clicking on it results in opening the full thread as normal. I suspect this is a conflict with the following mod:

Change Forum Cell Colour on Mouseover

I really enjoy using the first mod, but would compromise highlighting the cell only without the zoned click selection if absolutely necessary. I am assuming this is the problem, however.

UPDATE
I reinstalled and used manual template edits, as I assumed this could possibly remedy my issue. This resulted in no graphic and no effect. I then realized that the images/buttons directory had to be uploaded to the custom image folder I had set up for my template. End result: same as original installation for default template (clicking on the image results in opening the full thread as normal).

[magnus]

Wait, the full thread opens, with replies and everything? That's.. odd. I don't even see how that's possible. Either way, I'd need to see it, in action, on the forum in question before I could even begin to fathom a fix.

[magnus]

Originally Posted by Timelord

Hi Magnus! First of all, I just wanted to say this is a great idea, and from what I've seen, you've implemented it very well. However, I cannot get this to work on my forums. I have determined that it is because of the style I am using, as I have tested it under the default vBulletin style and it works there. However on the style I am using, a slightly modified version of Chestnut (by Allan), no [+] boxes appear to the left of the thread titles. I have attempted manually editing all the templates and letting it do it automatically, both times to no avail. I'm not sure what it is that's causing it but it would seem to relate directly to my style. Is there anything you can suggest that might fix this?

Thanks very much!

You need to upload the image files included in the zip to your style's (chestnut) specific image directory as well. No reason to use manual edits, as the automatic ones will work just fine once the image files are put into the proper directories.