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!

[Sushubh]

i am using this on a forum with vbseo installed. whenever i try to open the first post... i get the 404 page!

forum: http://broadbandforum.in

[magnus]

Originally Posted by Sushubh

i am using this on a forum with vbseo installed. whenever i try to open the first post... i get the 404 page!

forum: http://broadbandforum.in

You haven't uploaded the vbpost_ajax.php file to your forum's root directory.

[Sushubh]

damn. stupid me. thanks mate!

[cupra]

great work, installd!

[RvG2]

installed. worked super fine!

[BadgerDog]

Installed on v3.6.7PL1...

Edit: Had to uninstall after users complained that there were graphics pic display issues when they view posts using this mod. I checked and could duplicate it. Basically, when one clicks the "+" sign and if the post has pics displayed side by side like this:

PIC PIC
PIC PIC

The post displayed with this mod didplays them like this:

PIC
PIC
PIC
PIC

If you display the same post by just clicking it normally, then they display properly as they always have.

Unfortunately, had to un-install because of this. Nice mod though...

Thanks....

Regards,
Badger

[magnus]

Originally Posted by BadgerDog

Installed on v3.6.7PL1...

Edit: Had to uninstall after users complained that there were graphics pic display issues when they view posts using this mod. I checked and could duplicate it. Basically, when one clicks the "+" sign and if the post has pics displayed side by side like this:

PIC PIC
PIC PIC

The post displayed with this mod didplays them like this:

PIC
PIC
PIC
PIC

If you display the same post by just clicking it normally, then they display properly as they always have.

Unfortunately, had to un-install because of this. Nice mod though...

Thanks....

Regards,
Badger

Sounds like you're not using default templates. Appears to me you need a nowrap="nowrap" option somewhere.

[BadgerDog]

Originally Posted by magnus

Sounds like you're not using default templates. Appears to me you need a nowrap="nowrap" option somewhere.

"threadbit" "search_results" and "forumdisplay" have never been touched... they are the default v3.6.7PL1

Where would I need nowrap="nowrap", given that?

Thanks....

Appreciate the feedback...

Regards,
Badger

[BozzaJos]

Ow my god.. I installed this hack but when I went to my forum (called forum.php, I've got vbadvanced installed) I got this error message at the top of my forum (above the banner):

Warning: exec() has been disabled for security reasons in /forum.php(536) : eval()'d code on line 51

When I click on a section it's gone, guess it only shows it @ forum.php. Big problem is, when I uninstalled it, it still shows the error message! How the hell do I get rid of it?

I hope someone can help me! Thanks in advance...

[magnus]

Originally Posted by BozzaJos

Ow my god.. I installed this hack but when I went to my forum (called forum.php, I've got vbadvanced installed) I got this error message at the top of my forum (above the banner):

Warning: exec() has been disabled for security reasons in /forum.php(536) : eval()'d code on line 51

When I click on a section it's gone, guess it only shows it @ forum.php. Big problem is, when I uninstalled it, it still shows the error message! How the hell do I get rid of it?

I hope someone can help me! Thanks in advance...

Ok, first things first:

• If you've uninstalled the hack and still receive the errors, it's safe to assume this hack isn't the culprit.
• This hack does not utilize the exec() function.
• For the life of me, I can't fathom anyway that this hack would hook into vBadvanced. It's very static on where it hooks into.

My money is on another hack causing this problem or a vBadvanced configuration error. I personally do not use vBadvanced, so my knowledge on such is limited to non-existent.