Add a synopsis of each PM in the Message List Version 2.0

I got the idea for this hack, while trying to prune my Inbox from old (and useless) PMs. As it usually happens, I didn't remember from the title, what each PM was about, so I kept going back and forth between the Message List and the messages themselves.

I thought that if I could have a small part of the PM shown in the list, it would help my work enormously. So, I took some time to do it. I call that initial part of the PM which is shown in the Messages List, a "synopsis".

Easy hack, one or two file edits and anything from one template edit.

Please remember to click Install, if you like this.

Version 1.01 : Following another member's suggestion, I removed the possible bbcode from the synopsis of the messages, shown in the Message List.

Version 2.0 : In this version, I added the option of allowing the forum users to select if they want to see a synopsis of their PMs in the Messages List or not, and to define how long their synopsis should be. A new column is added in your user table for this functionality.

PLEASE NOTE: There are several alternative ways to show your synopsis, after mentionning two or three of them, I decided to remove them from the installation instructions and mention only the simpler one, which requires only one template modification, in the simplest form. This was done in order to avoid confusion between the users who decide to install this hack. The way the synopsis is presented is a template issue, so it should be easy to come up with any alternatives you want.

Rgds

[mkdevo]

just installed. works great! thanks!

it looks like the text file cuts off at the end... is that right?

EDIT: also, wouldn't this be better suited in the PM Enhancement forum? i'd run across it the other day, and went back to look for it today and it took a while..

[sv1cec]

Thanks for the nice words.

No the file doesn't cut off at the end. I was in a hurry to upload it, since a member noticed that I hadn't included the memberinfo template modifications, so I just send it like that.

And yes, it might be better of in the PM enhancements, but since it started with a couple of lines code changes, I put it here. Maybe I should ask a moderator to move it.

Rgds

[Delphy]

sv1cec,

Sorry about this... but it should be the "modifyoptions" template, not the memberinfo one

I use a slightly different synopsis view, see the attached image.

Thanks,
Delphy

[sv1cec]

Oh God, you are right, what was I thinking???

Thanks for pointing it out.

Yes, there can be any kind of synopsis styles. The ones I 've mentioned are some that I use or are easy to customize (only one template edit).

Again, thanks for pointing out my error.

Rgds

[sv1cec]

Folks,

you might want to edit your usercp.php file, as well, to properly show the synopsis there too. To do that, open you usercp.php file and find:

PHP Code:

    eval('$userbit = "' . fetch_template('pm_messagelistbit_user') . '";'); 


Right above that, add:

PHP Code:

    if ($bbuserinfo['synopsis']>0)
    {
        $synopsis_length = $bbuserinfo['synopsis'];
        $synopsis = strip_bbcode(strip_quotes(trim($pm['message'])));
        if (strlen($synopsis)>$synopsis_length)
        {
            $synopsis=substr($synopsis, 0, $synopsis_length);
            $synopsis=$synopsis . " ... (more)";
        }
    } 


YOu may have to slightly modify the USERCP profile, depending on the synopsis template you select to use. If you need help, please let me know.

[FleaBag]

Excellent! I love it, thanks a lot.

[sv1cec]

Thanks, appreciated!

[RockForums]

Awesome hack, thanks!

[midnightz]

Hello,

I have run into a snafu with this hack, but its not the hack at all but the way vBulletin 3.x handles thier Private Messgaes by calling on the postbit.

This code help that issue by letting me have the postbit as the PM type and legacy as my postbit.

PHP Code:

<if condition="THIS_SCRIPT == 'private'">
<!-- private message layout goes here -->
<else />
<!--normal postbit code goes here -->
</if> 


Only thing is now the PM don't have my very extreme postbit in the PM, but it also won't call on your hack that I desperately want to include for my members.

If I need to explain in more detail I can.

Thanks

[sv1cec]

Yes, please elaborate, because I cannot understand what your problem is.

Rgds