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!

[Terrasoft]

Hmm let me check that then. Ill also try turning manual edits off and let it work from there.

So yeah, I am still having this error even though it calls the javascript and all the correct automatic templates are being run. Any clue?

[Terrasoft]

I wonder, Im using the thread prefix hack which also requires you to edit the threadbit template, would this affect it in any way?

[gim]

Very very very goooood!

[Magnumutz]

Very nice... I just installed and i , and my users, love it.
*Clicks Install*

[Terrasoft]

Magnus, with the PM I sent you...I gave you a name of a hook that was being run under search_results_query_thread under the Thread Prefixes hack. Well I just tried disabling that hook and now it works perfectly, however if possible...itd be awesome to be able to use both of those hooks as the prefix in the search area is an extremely useful resource as well.

[keyness]

That's a great mod! Thank you!

[MDK-Indy]

Nice Hack :up:

But i have a error.

If i klick at the "+" then open the Ajax window and approx. after 1 sec change the view to the completely Thread.

Whats wrong?

Greeting Indy

[nymyth]

2 quick fixes ( you dont have to follow them to have it working) - I made these changes to get a valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional.

1. In the plugin "Make changes to 'threadbit' template"

Look for this:

$vbulletin->templatecache['threadbit'] = preg_replace($find, $match[0] . $match[1] . ' ".(($thread[\'open\'] != 10) ? ("<img id=\"vbpostimg_$thread[' . $postidtype . ']\" src=\"$stylevar[imgdir_button]/expand.gif\" onclick=\"return vbpost_get($thread[' . $postidtype . '])\" onMouseOver=\"this.style.cursor=\'pointer\';\" title=\"' . construct_phrase($vbphrase['click_here_to_read_the_x'], $titlephrase) . '\" />") : (""))."', $vbulletin->templatecache['threadbit']);

replace with:

$vbulletin->templatecache['threadbit'] = preg_replace($find, $match[0] . $match[1] . ' ".(($thread[\'open\'] != 10) ? ("<img id=\"vbpostimg_$thread[' . $postidtype . ']\" src=\"$stylevar[imgdir_button]/expand.gif\" onclick=\"return vbpost_get($thread[' . $postidtype . '])\" alt=\"' . construct_phrase($vbphrase['click_here_to_read_the_x'], $titlephrase) . '\" />") : (""))."', $vbulletin->templatecache['threadbit']);

I took out the onMouseOver and changed TITLE to ALT.

[magnus]

Originally Posted by MDK-Indy

Nice Hack :up:

But i have a error.

If i klick at the "+" then open the Ajax window and approx. after 1 sec change the view to the completely Thread.

Whats wrong?

Greeting Indy

I'll need to see an example of what's happening to better understand what needs to be looked at.

[baghdad4ever]

thanks magnus

can you make it apear only to members not to guest??

is it make load on server or not???