Miscellaneous Hacks - Forum-wide Search For Unanswered Threads

Hack Support

This hack is now discontinued - this means that while it will remain available for download and use, there will be no further updates, nor will support be provided as the thread is no longer monitored. You can now check out the 3.8.x version of this hack, as it also works with v3.7.5, v3.6.12 (and maybe even earlier versions).

Please click Mark as Installed if you are using this hack.


vBulletin Version Compatibility

This hack can be used with v3.6.10 and v3.7.x. This has not been tested with earlier versions of v3.6.x, but should work.


What Does This Hack Do?

This is an hack adds an extra option to the Search drop down list on the nav bar which allows you to search for unanswered threads forum-wide, apart from the forums you choose to exclude from the search.

This hack was created as a result of a request from Boofo - see here.

There are no file or template changes at all, and is fully phrased.

AdminCP settings for this hack available in vBulletin Options > Forum-wide Search For Unanswered Threads.
Settings that can be changed are:

1. Usergroup permissions - which groups will be able to see the Unanswered Threads link (no usergroups can use this by default)
2. Exclude Forums - list of forums to exclude from the search for unanswered threads
3. Turn off cached results - enable/disable

Installation Instructions

1. Import ms_search_all_unanswered.xml into vB using the AdminCP Product Manager. If upgrading then set Allow Overwrite to Yes.
2. Alter the settings in the Admin CP vBulletin Options to your liking.

Uninstall Instructions

1. Uninstall the product in vB using the AdminCP Product Manager.

Version History

v3.7.006 - Friday 29th August 2008
-- Final Release
-- Changed: Check boxes now for usergroup selection, instead of needing comma separated numbers
-- Changed: Screenshots
-- Added: New plugin, for processing usergroup permissions

v3.7.005 - Saturday 26th July 2008
-- Changed: Removed dependency, now works with v3.6.10

v3.7.004 - Thursday 17th July 2008
-- Changed: Total code rewrite
-- Changed: AdminCP exclude forums option to allow up to 254 characters on the line

v3.7.003 - Wednesday 25th June 2008
-- Added: AdminCP option to display to all usergroups

v3.7.002 - Sunday 11th May 2008
-- Changed: Version numbering
-- Added: AdminCP Options input validation
-- Added: vBAdvanced support

v1.0.0 - Friday 8th February 2008
-- Initial v3.7.x Release


Show Your Appreciation

Although not required, if you have enjoyed the benefits of this hack, and would like show your appreciation for my efforts, then please feel free to click on the Support Developer link and donate any amount you feel is appropriate.


Donations

I would like to thank the following people for their kind donations:

• jilly
• wmlvb

[Mosh]

Originally Posted by wmlvb

I was wondering if I give permission for certain user groups to sue this will they see unanswered thread of board they are not allowed to see?

No, they will not, forum permissions still apply

If the user is in a usergroup that does not have permissions to see a forum, then unanswered threads from that forum will not show up for that user.

[wmlvb]

wow that was the quickest reply ever!! Thanks for the prompted answer. On question about installing . This will be my 1st attempt of installing a hack! ( wish me luck!) Do I put in the forum root folder?

[Mosh]

Originally Posted by wmlvb

wow that was the quickest reply ever!! Thanks for the prompted answer. On question about installing . This will be my 1st attempt of installing a hack! ( wish me luck!) Do I put in the forum root folder?

No, just follow the instructions below:

1. Import ms_search_all_unanswered.xml into vB using the AdminCP Product Manager.
2. Alter the settings in the Admin CP vBulletin Options to your liking.

[wmlvb]

oh yea that thing. I remember seeing that the other day. so much back there I forget what is what! Thanks

[wmlvb]

I have imported now but do not see in vb options. When I imported the only lines I filled out were the title and version and pretty much left everything blank!!

not sure if thats why I am not seeing but anyway. i must be missing something as
it is not showing up. in vb options! Thanks for the help

[Mosh]

Originally Posted by wmlvb

I have imported now but do not see in vb options. When I imported the only lines I filled out were the title and version and pretty much left everything blank!!

not sure if thats why I am not seeing but anyway. i must be missing something as
it is not showing up. in vb options! Thanks for the help

You need to import it, it sounds like you have created a new product.

You need to browse for the xml file, then click import after.

See screen shoot, for example:

[Mosh]

Update: v3.7.006
-- Changed: Check boxes now for usergroup selection, instead of needing comma separated numbers
-- Changed: Screenshots
-- Added: New plugin, for processing usergroup permissions

[Konstantinos]

nice mod but u can u make it exclude soft deleted threads ?

[Mosh]

Originally Posted by Konstantinos

nice mod but u can u make it exclude soft deleted threads ?

I had a quick look at how the search.php works (which is what this hack calls to show the unanswered threads) and it does not seem to take into account excluding soft deleted threads, so this would probably require extra plug-ins, editing of the core files or if any query hooks are available in the correct places it may be possible to extend a query or 2 to make it take that into account.

But this is a fairly simple hack, so am probably not going look into it. I may change my mind in future if I feel the urge to look into it, but I doubt it.

[yamahapaul]

just installed, thanks :up: