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 rjmjr69

I get this error at the top of any page and the buttons do not work they appear but do nothing
script type="text/javascript" src="clientscript/jquery.js">

What's the error? Did you do the template edits manually, or automatically?

If you did them automatically, then follow my instructions on the first page to do them manually.

If you did them manually, you forgot a "<"

[rjmjr69]

Originally Posted by magnus

What's the error? Did you do the template edits manually, or automatically?

If you did them automatically, then follow my instructions on the first page to do them manually.

If you did them manually, you forgot a "<"

Your right I forgot a <

Thank you so much this rocks........ Clicked MOTM


One little request. When A user is viewing a thread and Looking at Whos online shows an unknown location


This also does not work well with Thread Cosmetics hack On display of the thread it displays the Code for whatever decoration is applied..., I.E thread title is bold <strong> etc

[Hornstar]

wow. this is going to be a very popular mod ^^ nice work.

[magnus]

Update:
v1.1.0

• Fixed JavaScript errors when using search.
• Resolved (known) cross browser compatibility issues.

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Thanks to 4x4 Mecca for help in working out a few kinks. There are additional template edits, so if you performed manual edits you'll want to re-check this post.

Otherwise, just import and overwrite as usual.

[rjmjr69]

So for us that did manual edits Add the new search_post edit PLUS re import and overwrite?

[magnus]

@ rjmjr69:
Glad you got it working. Although, I don't see how this would affect Who's Online -- as you haven't actually left FORUMHOME. I'll look into it, though.

I'll also check into the cosmetics hack.

@ hornstar1337:
Thanks!

[magnus]

Originally Posted by rjmjr69

So for us that did manual edits Add the new search_post edit PLUS re import and overwrite?

You can get away with not overwriting the php/js files, but you'll need to re-import and perform the template edits. (Be sure to disable the automatic template edits after re-importing)

[rjmjr69]

Originally Posted by magnus

You can get away with not overwriting the php/js files, but you'll need to re-import and perform the template edits. (Be sure to disable the automatic template edits after re-importing)

That worked just fine.

Here is a snap shot of what I am talking about for WOL. The username appears Its just I was using FF and my username blinks but it does appear




And here is what happens with the thread decorations

[Stoebi]

Hi,

great hack magnus. Thank you very much
I've only problems with vb codes boxes (attached).


Regards, Stoebi

[magnus]

Originally Posted by rjmjr69

That worked just fine.

Here is a snap shot of what I am talking about for WOL. The username appears Its just I was using FF and my username blinks but it does appear

This should be an easy fix. I'll add it to the list.

Originally Posted by rjmjr69

And here is what happens with the thread decorations

Hrm. That looks like a template editing typo in threadbit, IMHO. This hack doesn't modify thread titles (or prefixes) -- if you recall, all that was done was the adding of an <img /> tag.

If you've checked and can't find any typos, copy and paste your threadbit template into a .txt file so I can take a look at it.