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!

[Cristi_XP]

Originally Posted by Booost This

I just installed it on my forum, followed the directions and no dice. I don't even get the (+/-) signs.

Any clue? I don't think it can be that hard to screw up the install? It said everything installed ok?

same thing to me ...

[magnus]

Originally Posted by Cristi_XP

same thing to me ...

You're most likely using a custom style with a custom image directory. Make sure you've uploaded the images to your custom image directory.

[Cristi_XP]

you where right...that solved it ! Thank you!
another error when i am trying to acces usercp
Fatal error: Call to undefined function: fetch_coventry() in path/usercp.php(503) : eval()'d code on line 43

[magnus]

Originally Posted by Cristi_XP

you where right...that solved it ! Thank you!
another error when i am trying to acces usercp
Fatal error: Call to undefined function: fetch_coventry() in path/usercp.php(503) : eval()'d code on line 43

A handful of people have experienced this problem and unfortunately no one has really stuck around long enough to help resolve it. I cannot replicate this in any of my test scenarios.

First off, what version of vBulletin are you using?

[Cristi_XP]

vbulletin 3.6.8

[Mark.B]

I've been using this for a while and it works well, only thing I have spotted is that when enabled (either with automatic edits or manual ones), it pushes things like the attachment "paperclip" from the top of the table cell to the bottom.

Where this can look a bit of a mess is when combined with a thread rating...they get sort of squashed up together for some reason.

Using manual edits I moved the code and thought I'd cracked it, it was fine in Firefox but then the hack didn't show at all in IE so I put it back how it was.

Minor, but niggly.

[magnus]

Automatic or manual edits are irrelevant in display issues. You can simple edit the template to make it look however you want. Look for vbpost_postbit in your templates and edit away. :P

[Mark.B]

Originally Posted by magnus

Automatic or manual edits are irrelevant in display issues. You can simple edit the template to make it look however you want. Look for vbpost_postbit in your templates and edit away. :P

Hi magnus.

It's not the actual postbit preview box that is the issue...it's the placing of the little "expand" image in the threadbit that's the issue. When it's there, any attachment icons get pushed down to the bottom right rather than top right, this then seems to impact on any threadrating icons by squashing them up next to everything else.

I managed to stop this happening in Firefox but then the expand icon didn't show up at all in IE on getnew/getdaily (which is where it's most needed on my site), but was still ok on forumdisplay.

As I say, it works fione, it's just altering some formatting somewhere in threadbit, and try as I might I can't work out what.

[Mark.B]

I think I may have cracked it....the manual code needs putting in a different place.....just testing now.

[magnus]

Ah, I think I know what you're talking about. Try adding style="display: block;" to the <img> tag displaying expand.gif.

Let me know if that fixes it.