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 Barakat

no its not an external release but they are useing your hack on thier site ...
its so nice
http://www.vbhacks-germany.org/forumdisplay.php?f=109

Oh, woops. I misunderstood, sorry!

[Advocate1]

Hi, you've created nice hack!
Is there any way to limit chars or words in $post[message] @ vbpost_postbit?

[e39m5]

Advocate1's suggestion brings up a good point, but I think it is something that should be user defined in the CP rather than admin defined. It really gets into user preference and usability. I also don't believe an update like this would affect loading time or bandwidth usage.

e39m5

[Bonee70]

Hmmm, when I click on the icon nothing happens.

Mousover shows me "Click here to read last post" ...


http://www.the-european-football-lea...splay.php?f=13

[magnus]

Originally Posted by Bonee70

Hmmm, when I click on the icon nothing happens.

Mousover shows me "Click here to read last post" ...


http://www.the-european-football-lea...splay.php?f=13

You didn't upload the vbulletin_vbpost.js or jquery.js to your clientscript folder. Re upload all of the product files to the proper locations.

[Bonee70]

Thx Magnus, sometimes I just have hot air in my head.... working fine now!

[SemperFideles]

OK, first of all, really great MOD!

I have only one problem:
1. I set the option to view the Last Post when the user clicks the + sign.
2. When I'm in forum display, the + sign pulls up the Last Post.
3. When I use the Today's Posts or New Posts features (which uses search.php), the + sign works but it displays the First Post

Is there a way to fix the search results? Does the search results even use the threadbit template? I can't even find in the templates where your Product has modified the Templates. I tried manually editing them as indicated in your instructions and the + sign appeared but didn't work. I unedited the files and wen back to automatic updating of the Templates and it works but as indicated above.

[SemperFideles]

Incidentally, I agree with others that it would be awesome if there could be two plus signs - one for the first post to dropdown and another for the last post to dropdown.

[magnus]

Originally Posted by SemperFideles

Is there a way to fix the search results? Does the search results even use the threadbit template? I can't even find in the templates where your Product has modified the Templates. I tried manually editing them as indicated in your instructions and the + sign appeared but didn't work. I unedited the files and wen back to automatic updating of the Templates and it works but as indicated above.

This is by design. The search results SQL doesn't contain all the necessary information to display anything other than the first post, so regardless of what you've selected within the AdminCP, anything involving the search results will always display first post.

It's something that may possibly be worked in later. If you wish to change the template layout, the template you're looking for is vbpost_postbit. As for trying to find changes made by the automatic template edits, you can't. They are done on-the-fly.

[anzo]

hmm... I've installed everything as it was instructed, but it doesn't work!
I don't even see the "+" signs...

http://latforums.lv/forum1.html

I'm using Aria skin and vBSEO,
maybe it has something to do with it?