Who Viewed This Thread - Enhanced Version

Who Viewed This Thread - Enhanced Version v1.3.2


Version: 1.3.2
vB Version: 3.0.3
Developer: Ocean
Install Difficulty: Moderately Easy



The original hack this references was done by Gary King (https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=61222). I modified his hack in order to gain some additional functionality.

This hack is meant to be installed instead of Gary's original version - not in addition to it (for sanity's sake, as far as managing the code is concerned).


(This was submitted as a seperate hack with Gary's permission. If this belongs in a different group, I'm sure a Moderator will move it accordingly. )


Description:

This hack will allow you to see which users have viewed any given Thread. In addition, there is a second section that is resettable. What this means, is that there are two sections that show a list of users who have viewed the Thread in question.

The first section is a Master List - it shows all users who have viewed that thread at ANY point in time (since the hack was installed).

The second section works like your car's Trip Meter. You can Reset that second section at any time and it will then show only the users that have viewed that thread FROM THAT POINT ON. In addition, this second section will show you the Date/Time of the last Reset, so that you know from what point that second list is showing. This is useful, for example, if you want to be able to see which users have viewed a thread after you have updated it, or after a particular post of interest has been made.

You can choose which UserGroups can view the Who Viewed information, or even if you want all users to be able to see the first section - but only certain UserGroups to see the second.

You can also choose whether you want the Who Viewed information to be displayed directly on the ShowThread page, or if you would prefer to only show a link that opens a Pop Up Window with the Who Viewed information there.




Release Notes:


v1.3.2

Fixed the problem where the Pop-Up Link was visible to users who didn't have permission to view that information. (They still wouldn't be shown the information - but the link shouldn't have been visible to them in the first place)


v1.3.1

Minor modifications to the Aesthetics of the ShowThread page, as well as the Who Viewed Pop Up Window. No functional changes. If you are using v1.3.0, you do not need to upgrade, unless you wish to have the new aesthetics.


v1.3.0

Added the ability to choose whether you want the Who Viewed information to be displayed directly on the ShowThread page (as it was for all prior versions of this hack), or if you would prefer to only show a link that opens a Pop Up Window with the Who Viewed information there. Also consolidated and cleaned up the code.


v1.2.6

Fixed the problem with the "Who Viewed Since" table collapsing the wrong object


v1.2.5

Minor changes to optimize code. No functional changes. If you have v1.2.4, you do not need to upgrade to v1.2.5.


v1.2.4

Reworked the Security Sections so that they are exponentially easier to set. Now, other than choosing which UserGroups you want to have access to this hack, you only need to change ONE variable in order to choose which Security Layout you want to use.


v1.2.3

Updated all of the Security Sections to allow for more flexibility in selecting which UserGroups may view the WhoViewed Information.


v1.2.1

Upgrade Notes have been updated, and an Upgrade Script provided for those who have Gary's original version installed. If you have already successfully installed v1.2 of this hack, there is no need to do anything further.


v1.2

The original hack allowed you to see which users had viewed any particular thread on your board. It was and is an excellent hack - however, I desired some additional functionality, and so I made the following changes:


1. The format of stored User IDs has changed to a comma delineated format. This was done to optimize the code by stripping out the need for an additional explode() and implode().

2. An additional set of information is now being kept and maintained. However, unlike the first set (which will show you who has viewed a particular thread - ever), the second set is resettable at any time by Admins. This gives you a "tripmeter" of sorts, as you can now tell who has viewed a particular thread from the last time you reset that counter for that thread.

3. The date and time of the last reset for each thread is kept and displayed. Otherwise, it would be self-defeating, as you wouldn't remember when you last reset it.

4. This hack has been written so that all functions are for Admins only. Instructions are included for modifying this, if you wish. (Note: Even if you make ALL information viewable to ALL users, only Admins are allowed to Reset Counters. It is recommended that you do not change this)

5. I have the template additions being added at the bottom of the ShowThread page (right above the posting permissions). It seems to make more sense putting it there, as it doesn't get in the way, aesthetically speaking. Basically, if you want to check that section, it's there - if not, you'll never be bothered by it. If you prefer to have it somewhere else, feel free to insert the ShowThread Template portion of the code wherever you wish.



UPGRADE NOTES:

The instructions for this hack assume that you do NOT have any prior version installed.

At the moment, if you already have Gary's original 1.0 version installed, you will either need to completely clear out the existing data, before installing this hack - or you can download the "WhoViewedUpgradeFormat.php" script in order to convert the data format over to the new style.

Instructions are included for upgrading.

[Ocean]

Originally Posted by theArchitect

Super idea for a hack. Very useful.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by theArchitect

*theArchitect clicks install*.

Though, for some reason the "Already viewed this thread since:" is displaying "never" rather than a date and time shown in your screen shot. Have I messed something up in the install?

Not at all. It will show "Never" if you have never reset the counter for that particular thread. Try resetting it, you'll see that it will now show the date and time you last reset it.

Until the first time you reset the second counter for any given thread, the second counter will show the exact same results as the first.

Originally Posted by theArchitect

BTW, I found the install process very simple, but I amended the SHOWTHREAD template as I have currently active users at the top and not the bottom.

Also, and I don't know if this is of interest to anyone. When I downloaded the .txt file and opening it in the default app text edit everything was fine. But when I opened the file in my editor of choice (BBEdit) I got some strange symbols. And if anyone says, that?s Mac?s for you they are a dead man.

Well, I won't say it then. But it would seem that I don't need to, either... <grin>

[theArchitect]

Originally Posted by Ocean

Thanks!




Not at all. It will show "Never" if you have never reset the counter for that particular thread. Try resetting it, you'll see that it will now show the date and time you last reset it.

Until the first time you reset the second counter for any given thread, the second counter will show the exact same results as the first.




Well, I won't say it then. But it would seem that I don't need to, either... <grin>

So I need to hit reset for all of my threads?????

Is there a short cut to do them all. I have one or two of them.

edit:
Err. I just hit reset counter and got:

Fatal error:  Call to undefined function:  is_member_of() in \forum\misc.php on line 8

Help...

[Ocean]

Originally Posted by theArchitect

So I need to hit reset for all of my threads?????

Is there a short cut to do them all. I have one or two of them.

No, you don't have to hit Reset on any of them until you have the need/desire to. The second counter is there to give you a date/timestamped resettable list of users who have viewed that thread. You don't need to Reset any given thread unless/until you have the need/desire to see who will have viewed that thread from that point on.

Otherwise, you can just leave them be.

Originally Posted by theArchitect

edit:
Err. I just hit reset counter and got:

 
Fatal error: Call to undefined function: is_member_of() in \forum\misc.php on line 8

Help...

The function "is_member_of" is called from the code this hack adds to misc.php. However, it is a vB function.

The problem is that the error message states that you put that addition in the very beginning of the misc.php file (before the global functions are pre-loaded). You need to move the hack's added code to the right place in Misc.php - refer to the instructions for details.

[theArchitect]

Thankyou Ocean. Your prompt and accurate advice is most appreciated.

[Ocean]

Originally Posted by theArchitect

Thankyou Ocean. Your prompt and accurate advice is most appreciated.

You're very welcome!

[bnn121]

This is a great hack...but...is there a way to pick and choose who can see this?

Meaning...right now all admins can see the hack...but no supermods or regualr mods. I no it may be some work. Is there a section that can be edited to allow additional userid to view this hack?

[Ocean]

Originally Posted by bnn121

This is a great hack...but...is there a way to pick and choose who can see this?

Meaning...right now all admins can see the hack...but no supermods or regualr mods. I no it may be some work. Is there a section that can be edited to allow additional userid to view this hack?

No problem.

See my following post about the new version.


Edit: I released a new version initially, but I subsequently pulled it, because I wanted to make the Security settings easier to work with. Give me a bit, and I'll post the new version here.

[Ocean]

Hi, all! I have just released v1.2.5 of this hack.

The only changes that were made, was to allow for more flexibility in deciding who could view this hack, and the ease that you could choose which Security Layout you wanted to use (No more "remove this" or "uncomment that". Now, other than choosing which UserGroups you want to have access to this hack, you only have to change ONE variable in order to select which Security Option you want to use).

As before - by default, only Admins can see any of the "Who Viewed" information, and only Admins can Reset the second section.


However, if you wish to change this, there are now three options you can choose from:

Option 1: If you want ALL users to be able to see BOTH sections of "Who Viewed" information.

Option 2: If you want to specify ONLY certain UserGroups IN ADDITION to Admins that can see BOTH sections of "Who Viewed" information.

Option 3: If you want ALL users to see the first section of "Who Viewed" information, but wish to specify that ONLY certain UserGroups can see the second section of "Who Viewed" information.


Regardless of which option you choose, ONLY Admins can Reset the second section.


If the default security setup is fine with you, than installation is mostly just a matter of inserting code where instructed.


However, if you want to choose any of the other security options, instructions are in the code changes for the ShowThread.php file. It's a LOT easier now.


If anyone wishes to upgrade from 1.2.1 to 1.2.5, all you have to do is replace the code additions to ShowThread.php and the SHOWTHREAD Template from the new instructions.

Then, if you wish to modify the security settings, follow the instructions in the ShowThread.php section to do so.

[bnn121]

I just finished installing your newest release...and this is one great hack...but I have one question.

If you click on the Who viewed this thread's minimize arrow to collapse that box it does just fine...but if you try the same thing with the who viewed this thread since...it does not collapse that box...it collapse the who viewed this thread since instead.

What part of the code handles the collapsing of the boxes...so I may check and see if I made an error.

[Ocean]

Originally Posted by bnn121

I just finished installing your newest release...and this is one great hack...but I have one question.

If you click on the Who viewed this thread's minimize arrow to collapse that box it does just fine...but if you try the same thing with the who viewed this thread since...it does not collapse that box...it collapse the who viewed this thread since instead.

What part of the code handles the collapsing of the boxes...so I may check and see if I made an error.

Oops! No, that's not your error - that's mine. I never collapse those objects on my own board, so I never noticed that discrepancy.

I fixed the problem and released 1.2.6. Anyone upgrading from v1.2.5 ONLY - can just replace the code added to the SHOWTHREAD Template (Step 6), and you'll be fine.


Anyone upgrading from v1.2.1 to v1.2.6 only needs to replace the code additions to ShowThread.php in addition to the SHOWTHREAD Template.