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

[midnightz]

vBulletin3.x uses a call upon your setup of your chosen postbit to display the PM in your box. So lets say I use Legacy as I do with a very graphic postbit, the PM system displays that chosen postbit inside your pm message. So to slim out the PM you need to have the above code and use something simple, such as their bland default.

This is based, I think how inside private.php something looks for the postbit determined from your setting in the admincp.

If you change your postbit on your board from legacy and then look at a message , then choose non legacy and look at a message you will notice that the style of your PM has changed. I believe that since I am using legacy as my main setting and the <if> for private (as listed above in that code) has a the code from the postbit (non legacy). That the vBulletin code is over powering you hack and they're must be a way to make something force it to use the non legacy and not leave it up to the chosen selection in the styles portion of options.

That is the best way I can explain it.

see this for info and there is stuff on it as well here

http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showt...stbit+personal

Thanks

[sv1cec]

I see what you mean, but postbit refers to the way the message is displayed when you select one message to see. My hack refers to the way the messages are displayed in the list, not inside the message.

I do not see what your problem is.

[midnightz]

This was resolved, thanks for your time

[T3MEDIA]

Im trying to add avatars in the private messages... I hoped it would be template only but I see now I need to hack. any ideas where I should start?

[sv1cec]

What do you mean? You want to see the user avatar when reading a PM he send you? I am not sure I understand your question.