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.

[Polo]

Wow, looks nice, thanks for sharing

[Ocean]

Originally Posted by Polo

Wow, looks nice, thanks for sharing

You're welcome. And I'm glad you like it.

[Polo]

One more question... does this hack/mod adds any queries to a board?

[Ocean]

Originally Posted by Polo

One more question... does this hack/mod adds any queries to a board?

Yes, this one does. More so because of the added functionality.

Speaking for v1.2 of this hack - if you install it as is, meaning as a tool for Admins only, than it will add 2 Queries for regular users and 4 Queries for Admins - but only on the ShowThread page.

Also, the first time a user visits a thread, there will be one additional Query (the one that adds them to the database).


So, if, for example, your board has 8 Queries per page for the ShowThread page - after installing this hack in it's default format...

...regular users will see 11 Queries the very first time they view any given thread - but only 10 Queries for each subsequent visit.

...Admins will see 13 Queries the first time they view any given thread - but only 12 Queries for each subsequent visit.


It doesn't add nearly as much as, say, a Portal hack. But I do still wish I could trim it down further. If anyone has any suggestions, I'd be happy to consider it - but at the moment, this is what's necessary to get this functionality.

[Phalynx]

Great, thanks for sharing!

[Ocean]

Originally Posted by Phalynx

Great, thanks for sharing!

You're welcome!

I hope you like it.

[nando415]

is there anyway to make this only apply to certain forum sections?

[Ocean]

Originally Posted by nando415

is there anyway to make this only apply to certain forum sections?

What do you mean by forum sections? Do you mean that you want this to only apply to certain Subs? That you don't want it to function at all in any other sub? Or just that you don't want the fields to be displayed?

Give me some more details, and I'll be able to help you better.

[Gary King]

Originally Posted by Ocean

What do you mean by forum sections? Do you mean that you want this to only apply to certain Subs? That you don't want it to function at all in any other sub? Or just that you don't want the fields to be displayed?

Give me some more details, and I'll be able to help you better.

He only wants it to function in certain forums.