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!

[exportforce]

Originally Posted by exportforce

Could you please add a "next post" and "previous post" Button? So I can skip through all posts, without goin in ?
Would be awesome.

@Magnus
Could you please agree or disagree on this?
Would be awesome if you could do this

[magnus]

Originally Posted by exportforce

@Magnus
Could you please agree or disagree on this?
Would be awesome if you could do this

I'm not sure I'm 100% clear on what you're asking for, but from what it sounds like, it sounds like you want to read the entire thread a post at a time.

Honestly, this really isn't within the scope of this modification and I can't see this being popular enough to warrant the additional coding. Sorry.

[magnus]

Originally Posted by tweb

I have the same error. I was try to put at Forum Exclusion 0 but it's still show me that error.

I just noticed that if i disable this hack https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=150761 everything is working fine.

Now we're getting somewhere!

Anyone else with this problem using the above (or similar) modification? We may be able to track this down..

[exportforce]

Nope not all at a time, only post by post.
A button "Next post" and "last post" so I can go through one by one

[baz_kingfish]

hmmm...downloaded this hack, uploaded the files to their respective forum directories, imported the XML, went to AdminCP and set options as follows: Display Post = FirstPost, Update Views = YES, Exclusions = NULL (tried 0 as well), and Automatic Template update = YES.

Go into forum and plus/minus signs are there next to the threads, and on some threads when I click the +/- it expands and colapses perfectly, and on other threads I get a little spinning RED arrow, and still on other threads I get NADA?

Just checked in UserCP and get the same type of things...some work, some red circle, some NOTHING.

Using vB version 3.6.8 with default styles... Please help.

Other plugins and products installed are as follows: (in relative order installed)

Post Thank You Hack - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=165673

Default Avatar thread - http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showt...14#post1499414

PM Button On Postbit - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthrea...ghlight=SendPM

Just Joined Product Add-on - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthrea...+avatar&page=2

Row Mouse Over - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthrea...hlight=rowmOVA

Collapsible First Post - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthrea...=1#post1435585

Welcome Headers - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthrea...ighlight=addon


Thanks,
KF

[magnus]

Originally Posted by baz_kingfish

hmmm...downloaded this hack, uploaded the files to their respective forum directories, imported the XML, went to AdminCP and set options as follows: Display Post = FirstPost, Update Views = YES, Exclusions = NULL (tried 0 as well), and Automatic Template update = YES.

Go into forum and plus/minus signs are there next to the threads, and on some threads when I click the +/- it expands and colapses perfectly, and on other threads I get a little spinning RED arrow, and still on other threads I get NADA?

Just checked in UserCP and get the same type of things...some work, some red circle, some NOTHING.

Using vB version 3.6.8 with default styles... Please help.

Other plugins and products installed are as follows: (in relative order installed)

Post Thank You Hack - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=165673

Default Avatar thread - http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showt...14#post1499414

PM Button On Postbit - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthrea...ghlight=SendPM

Just Joined Product Add-on - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthrea...+avatar&page=2

Row Mouse Over - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthrea...hlight=rowmOVA

Collapsible First Post - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthrea...=1#post1435585

Welcome Headers - https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthrea...ighlight=addon


Thanks,
KF

I'm willing to bet the Post Thank You hack is conflicting. Try setting that modification to disabled (no need to uninstall it). Let me know if that fixes it.

[exportforce]

thx-mod is not conflicting, have it too

[baz_kingfish]

Magnus,
Thank your for responding. Exportforce is correct, disabling the TY hack did not fix the problem. But I do have more info for you to consider. We migrated our forum to vB from Snitz using the vB import tools. I got to wondering if somehow the posts that were migrated somehow got set to the same time stamp or something and your hack possibly could not tell which one was first. So, I went into the AdminCP and changed the Hack setting to "Last Post", and everything works fine!!! I set it to "First Unread Post" and again, works fine. But when I changed it back to "First Post", the intermitent working/non-working problem I described in my post above occurred again.

The good news: I can leave it on "Last Post" without confusing my users.
The bad news: There is still a Gremlin!

I hope this additional information helps you identify the problem as this is a terrific feature! :up:Thanks,
KF

[magnus]

Originally Posted by baz_kingfish

Magnus,
Thank your for responding. Exportforce is correct, disabling the TY hack did not fix the problem. But I do have more info for you to consider. We migrated our forum to vB from Snitz using the vB import tools. I got to wondering if somehow the posts that were migrated somehow got set to the same time stamp or something and your hack possibly could not tell which one was first. So, I went into the AdminCP and changed the Hack setting to "Last Post", and everything works fine!!! I set it to "First Unread Post" and again, works fine. But when I changed it back to "First Post", the intermitent working/non-working problem I described in my post above occurred again.

The good news: I can leave it on "Last Post" without confusing my users.
The bad news: There is still a Gremlin!

I hope this additional information helps you identify the problem as this is a terrific feature! :up:Thanks,
KF

Hrm.. that is very strange. Have you tried rebuilding your counters?

AdminCP > Maintenance > Update Counters

Try rebuilding anything having to do with threads/posts.

It's odd that, of all things, the default behaviour is the one acting up..

[baz_kingfish]

That did it! :up: Not sure which one ...but I ran all of the counter/rebuild updates for threads, forums, and posts. The only issue now is dealing with the members being disappointed about their Post Count being reduced. yeah, I know I can hard plug them in, but they'll just get wiped out the next time I have to rebuild!

Magnus,
I know there have been alot of post regarding "First Post" vs "Last Post" which is why I am sure you put the option in the AdminCP, but I've got an idea about that. What if your hack provided for the + sign on the left to show the "First Post/First Unread", and then somehow get the little arrow icon in the "Last Post" field/box to the right side of the thread name to perform the EXACT same functionality, but show the "Last Post". This would allow the user to view BOTH before entering into the thread. vB is already showing the last post in that field, it just needs to somehow get thrown into your hack display table on click. Then you could simply provide a "GoTo" button if they wanted to go to the last post like is currently the case when you quick that little blue arrow.

Just a thought...is that possible?

I love the hack..donation is forthcoming...
KF