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!

[jedrus]

heh, thanks... I don't know how it happens.... sorry!

[exportforce]

Originally Posted by magnus

I'll be honest, I still haven't grasped exactly what you're asking for.

....
Just 2 buttons that appears in the opened Place where I can read the First/last post with which I can swap to the next or previous post in the thread...
Am I really that hard to understand

[magnus]

Originally Posted by exportforce

....
Just 2 buttons that appears in the opened Place where I can read the First/last post with which I can swap to the next or previous post in the thread...
Am I really that hard to understand

So I was right previously when I concluded you wanted to browse a thread a post at a time without going into the thread.

This hack is not meant to be an alternate browsing method. The magic is its simplicity, to view either the first post, last post or first unread post. Not to peruse an entire thread. To browse an entire thread would be to perform an SQL query for each post on demand rather than a single query for multiple posts.

Basically, this request is beyond the scope of this modification. I understand what you want, it's just not something I see myself adding support for. I'm sorry.

[DragonBlade]

magnus: thanks for this awesome mod

I found 2-3 errors, one that is commonly found but has not been resolved.

Fatal error: Call to undefined function: fetch_coventry() in /home/---.net/public_html/forums/usercp.php(503) : eval()'d code on line 16

That error is reproduced by having to subscribed to a thread and that thread has gotten a new post.

The other error is:
Fatal error: Call to undefined function: fetch_coventry() in /home/---.net/public_html/forums/moderation.php(405) : eval()'d code on line 16

Reproduced by click on Moderated or deleted Threads in usercp

[magnus]

Originally Posted by DragonBlade

magnus: thanks for this awesome mod

I found 2-3 errors, one that is commonly found but has not been resolved.

Fatal error: Call to undefined function: fetch_coventry() in /home/---.net/public_html/forums/usercp.php(503) : eval()'d code on line 16

That error is reproduced by having to subscribed to a thread and that thread has gotten a new post.

The other error is:
Fatal error: Call to undefined function: fetch_coventry() in /home/---.net/public_html/forums/moderation.php(405) : eval()'d code on line 16

Reproduced by click on Moderated or deleted Threads in usercp

Man, this error pops up every so often and I've yet to be able to replicate it. I've performed the actions mentioned above and on both my test forum and live forum everything is fine. I'll do yet some more digging to see why the fetch_coventry function isn't being defined. It's a default vBulletin function, it doesn't make any sense..

[DragonBlade]

I am currently performing more tests as I do have many plugins installed

fetch_coventry() in /home/---.net/public_html/forums/usercp.php(503) : eval()'d code on line 16
this only occurs if you have 0 new PMs and have a new subscribed post.

I have disabled all my plugins/mods and the error still occurs

[magnus]

Ok, let's try something. Try installing/overwriting using the attached product. Let me know if it fixes it.

[DragonBlade]

It works! Thanks

[magnus]

Thank God, glad to be done with that stupid bug.

[tobias_t]

OK here are the two things that are missing to make this mod perfect IMO:

- expanding a thread should mark it read if it only consists of a single post

- clicking anywhere in the text area of the expanded post should take you directly into that thread

Magnus, I would love to hear what you think of these suggestions