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 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!

Glad it turned out to be something simple!

Originally Posted by baz_kingfish

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.

That's not a bad idea, I'll look into that.

I appreciate the donation, thank you.

[baz_kingfish]

np.

It's a great function you created, and I know you have put alot of work into supporting it and making it even better. I'll donate again when you implement my suggestion! Please email me if you get it working and upload an update.
Cheers,
KF

[haris_led]

Originally Posted by magnus

Now we're getting somewhere!

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

i have the same problem. when passivevid is enabled, i get

Warning
: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in
/includes/class_postbit.php(296) : eval()'d code
on line
39

[binevi]

Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /includes/class_postbit.php(296) : eval()'d code on line 209

unfortunately i got same problem too

im using vb. 3.7

[falguni1]

very nice mod.

[falguni1]

can you make for 3.7 beta3 and 4.

[Kiint]

Just installed this on version 3.6.8, love the search functionality that's a great idea and love how you can select which forums you want this to appear in.

*Clicked Installed*

I'm currently asking my users if they want to keep this functionality and to which view they would prefer (opened a poll) I'm sure they will want to keep it even if it's just for the search results.

Installation went like a dream, uploaded files, ran xml file, configured through options, worked first time....but with one little problem of the images not showing....had to copy the button images to my custom style folder (error on my part, but may want to clarify that for beginners).

Thanks for a great mod.

[binevi]

Originally Posted by falguni1

can you make for 3.7 beta3 and 4.

i've installed that mods to my forum( im using 3.7.4). But as i said i hade an error only. but it works normally except that

[magnus]

The foreach() error experienced by a few seems to be related to various YouTube (and other video site) embedding hacks. I, personally, do not use any hacks with this functionality -- however, now that we've found a common link, I'll install one of the known offenders into my sandbox and see if I can replicate/fix the error.

[magnus]

Originally Posted by haris_led

i have the same problem. when passivevid is enabled, i get

Warning
: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in
/includes/class_postbit.php(296) : eval()'d code
on line
39

Ok, here's a fix. This is for passiveVid - (YouTube, Myspace, Google...) Not BBCODE users ONLY.

In AdminCP > Plugins & Products > Plugin Manager, look for passiveVid - Showthread Replacement under Product : passiveVid and select [Edit].

FIND:

PHP Code:

               foreach ($passiveVid as $k => $v) {
                   if ( $this->registry->options['passiveVid_sites'] & $v['id'] ) {
                       $this->post['message'] = preg_replace_callback($v['string'],create_function('$matches',$v['replacement']),$this->post['message']);
                       
                   }
               } 


REPLACE WITH:

PHP Code:

               if ($passiveVid) {
                   foreach ($passiveVid as $k => $v) {
                       if ( $this->registry->options['passiveVid_sites'] & $v['id'] ) {
                           $this->post['message'] = preg_replace_callback($v['string'],create_function('$matches',$v['replacement']),$this->post['message']);
                       
                       }
                   }
               } 


Disclaimer:
Note that this was tested on my development board. I do not actively use passiveVid (or any video embedding tools) so I cannot be held responsible for any undesired effects that may occur as a result of making these changes.

That being said, the changes simply check for the existence of a variable. There are no destructive functions being added or implemented, however, I just like to cover my rear.