[cinq's vbArticles v1.0 Hack] - The development process
 

BACKGROUND

Would be having some free time in about a month's time ( vacation wheee... ) so I have decided to take up the task of upgrading my previous hack for vb2 to be used in vb3.

A little background of the hack. I initially based the code off Arunan's popular link directory hack. But after a while I ended up changing most of the code to suit my needs. Several versions were pushed each time with more features added and bugs fixed, with help and suggestions from the community ( you folks know who you are :) ).
However, after a while, the hack kind of died a natural death, due to my lack of free time, an uncooperative computer, and actions of some of the members here.

I know there are already other vb3-based hacks around that has the same idea, a hack to house articles/tuts/reviews and what not, both free and paid work.

In any case, I would like to seek suggestions on what would be nice features in such a hack.

The old hack can be seen here : [vB 2.3.x] - vbArticles v0.4 -- For your repository of Articles/Tutorials/FAQs etc..

All suggestions would be seriously considered and implemented, if it is within my means. I am still a noob compared to many here ! :D
Thanks folks :D


CURRENT PROGRESS STATUS
The current status of the work completed is approximately 90% at this point of time, based on the initial features planned for this hack.
LEFT : install script, query and code optimization.


SCREENSHOTS
You can refer to the following posts for the attached screenshots of what this hack looks like. Note however that the end release may see some/many visual changes.

Post 1 : Initial screenshots
Post 2 : Updated admin interface
Post 3: Updated frontend page


CONTRIBUTING TO THIS HACK
I am sure many require such a hack for their sites, be it for articles, reviews, guides, tutorials and what not. Help me in the development of this hack and allow me to present this hack to you faster and with much better functionality and user-friendliness.

How you can help :

• Provide suggestions on new features
• Volunteer to run extensive tests on this hack, when early releases become available (PM me for this)
• Volunteer to write a comprehensive install (and uninstall) script which would handle database changes, phrases and settings addition, and if possible a page which lists nicely the file changes which are required. (PM me for this)
• Provide solutions to problems I encounter along the way (due to my limited knowledge of coding :(). Any problems or questions which are stumping me, I will post in this thread for the community to hopefully render help. These problems will be indexed in this post too, with a prefix as to whether it has been overcome or not.
• Create nifty and cool looking graphics for packaging together with this hack's final release. (PM me for this)
• ....

PROBLEMS REQUIRING ASSISTANCE
Please reference the problem number ( eg. 1 or 2 ... ) when replying to any of these listed problems.

1. [Suggestions required] Similar Articles feature - [Implemented, thanks to rake]
2. [Coding help required] Previous/Next Article feature - [Solved, thanks to rake]
3. [Coding help required] Query Optimization for Category/SubCategory Displaying

POSSIBLE FUTURE FEATURES

1. Uploading of support zip file for an article
2. Article submission / with validation
3. Custom article fields creation
4. Setting up access/add article/comment/rate by usergroup permissions
5. ModCP panel to admin articles
6. Discussion tie-in with a forum thread in a specific 'article discussion' forum

OTHER STUFF

Any other matters, please feel free to post them in this thread as well, and I will address them as soon as I have the time.
Thank you for all help rendered :D

oooo I need a good tutorial system. I'd love a good systemthat included the ability to add images both on the main category page and within the contest pages.

I rarely post, but I'd like to throw in a few suggestions/ideas.

1. Pagination. I am no PHP coder, and I hear that pagination is a pain to code, but it would be nice to have articles/reviews/whatnot have the ability to span several pages.

2. The ability to setup the Articles index page in columns and rows. Admin preference of course.

Example:
3. Article category images. It would be nice to be able to set an image for article categories without relying on/modifying other hacks made for other stuff.

4. Able to set Moderators/Columnists whatever.

5. The option for threaded article/review comments. Something like how slashdot does their user comments would be a nice option, it would be nice to have something visually different from the main forums, yet still integrated.

6. An easy way to add customfields for posting articles. It would make things easier for people submitting articles and columnists to fill out the main article info, then just fill in a few boxes of important stuff like article source, additional links etc. It would also make everything look as uniform as possible.

There is a few. Good luck with the coding, I look forward to testing it out when it becomes available.

1- pagination is a 3 lines code... already have something inside vB for that.
2- this is skin related... easy and vB have a hack for the forumhome you can add to the articles system
3- add a field in the category table to do so.. easy
4- this is a bit complicated.. or long at least...
5- can be done with the same system as vB itself
6- this is the most requested feature.
...

I already have a commercial one for my personal site integrated into an article system I have for vb3.

However I am looking for a free one that I can integrate so as to be able to release my hack here.

I require the following features most importantly :
- image upload management .... able to read the a specific directory and/or subdirectories under the main directory.

I am aware of Spaw but unfortunately, it does not have this support.

Some screenshots of what I got going now.

Note the last screenshot, the editor in place.
I need something for that.

Found a few more ...

HTMLArea
- no image upload function though

TextArearich
- no image upload function though

:(

can't you write the image upload system?

and regarding WYSIWYG can't you use the vBulletin one?

I would....if i could :p


Not enough features that would be almost indispensible in article content creation.

Yes you can use the wysiwyg of vbulletin !

Use the "construct_edit_toolbar" fonction ;)