Geek Article System 3.52

IMPORTANT:
Please note that I can no longer support this project. Primarily as it is designed for vb3.0.x and I no longer use that version (im obviously on vb3.5x ). There is a version for vb3.5 however its a commercial script. This project is left here for the community.
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HowdA All.

The GAS3 system is a comprehensive article system that completely integrates into vB3.

News:

• Updated 3/08/05 to version 3.53 for compatability with vb3.08
• Updated 13/05/05 to version 3.52!!! Posts for 3.52 to integrate with GAL4.0 start here

History

Originally, I looked into other article systems to integrate with my forums but just got irritated over and over again as I found the other offering out there very limiting for my needs. I wanted to use my members usergroup permissions, the search facility (so when someone did a search for 'bob' both articles AND threads appeared on one page), I also wanted wysiwyg editing and vBs attachment system. Well, I accomplished 99% of my needs with the Geek Article System 2.0
Why 3.0? While the 2.0 was fine for my needs, many users began asking for a far more complex system that took the beauty of 2.0 and added popular features in the other article systems.

Here are the features in a nutshell:

• Integrates 100% into vB. No importing forums or creating special groups. Simply mark forum as an 'Article' forum and instantly all threads become articles. Dont like it anymore? Simply remove the ID and the therads and forums go back to normal.
• Whatever you can do in a thread or post, you can do with the GAS3 system (uploading attachments, smiles, BBcode, various editors, yadayadayada)
• Adding on the above point: all the differing vB editors (wysiwyg, etc..), usergroup permissions (heck - anything you can set for a forum you can set in this - AND MORE!) why> because it is totally integrated!
• Create multiple pages in your post by simply putting [BREAK] anywhere in your post.
• The first thumbnail in an article substitutes the posters avatar (switchable via admincp)
• Upload header images and have them auto resize
• Choose header images from a global (or forum specific) gallery
• Integrated article byline.
• Synopsis - allows users to give a summary that appears on the new forumdisplay
• New forumdisplay shows article header image and synopsis (if no synopsis then the first X amount of characters from the article is used)
• Synopisis allows BBCode
• Integrates with the Geek AutoLink system (optional)
• Allows you to post as other users
• Article sidebar that shows the article rating, your rating, the rating form, article tools, and article attachments (all toggable via admincp)
• An auto installer/upgrader/uninstaller that makes all file edits for you!
• A whole host of other tiddlybits that I wont bore you with

Special thanks goes to rlamego, peterska2, Snow, Gldtn, and Magic Spark for private Beta testing this for me. Couldnt of happened without them!

Change log
13.05.05 - updated to 3.52
All this does is update GAS for the GAL4.0 integration.
To update, simply replace your existing functions_geekarticles.php with the one in the latest package.

18.3.05 - updated to 3.51
This really just fixes a couple of mega minor bugs.
Added new default icon per forum functionality (see readme)
Wrote a real README.
Wrote a seperate 3.5x upgrade script. Users of 3.5x should run admincp/gas3_upgrade.php

16.3.05 - updated to 3.50
Loads of new features and a new installer that makes the file changes for you.
New forumdisplay
Uploading of images for your header
Synopsis box
yadayadayda

10.2.05 - updated to 3.02
Fixed typo in readme (step 2.6 referenced $articlebyline instead of $GAS_byline). This bug fixes the disappearing byline when editing an article.
To upgrade - edit your editpost template and search for $articlebyline then replace it with $GAS_byline

Importers
I have made an importer for v3articles. Technically speaking, you dont have to strictly have GAS3 installed to use the importer (though it is ideal). What it does is essentailly import v3articles, comments, ratings, and attachments into existing forums as new threads, replies, threadratings, and post attachments. The idea is that you install GAS3, create the forums to house your articles, and then import your existing v3articles into them (but as I said, you can simply import v3articles into normal forums without having GAS3 installed).
There is also a rollback feature in case you change your mind or experience a problem with the import. Your v3articles installation isnt touched. In fact, no v3articles are harmed in the process

Known issues:

• none that I am aware of.

Demos: (note that I have a custom skin, so your results will be ever so slightly different)
http://www.thenailgeek.com/showthread.php?t=11287
http://www.thenailgeek.com/showthread.php?t=8801 - pages with comments (click View Comments to see comments only)


Difficulty - EASY
Time - about 5 minutes
File modifications? a few but now all done automatically for you

Change log:

Updated to 3.01 Feb 7th
Fixed a couple template errors and minor readme instructions


Instructions

Click install. I have busted my butt over the past few weeks to do this and all I ask is that you click install if you use it

• Download the package and unzip.
• Follow the README!
• Ther installer does all the work for you
• When done, go into your admncp, and adjust your settings

Troubleshooting:

• No phrases after install? This happens a lot with many installers for some bizzare reason. All you have to do is do a phrase search for GAS_ , edit the phrase (dont change it), then save it. Bingo - all your phrases appear.

Also:

I would therefore backup your DB, your styles, and any of the files the README asks you to change.

nJoy

[FD929]

Geek I have to say, you have to be one of the greatest assets to vb.org. Your work is top notch. Many coders with your level of expertise have made all their hacks paid. I applaud you for spending so much time developing these magnificent modifications and not requiring a penny for them. If you have a paypal link I'd be happy to send something your way.

[PamelaE]

Hi,

Thanks for this. Its wonderful. We have integrated it will with our site http://www.soapchat.burtonhosting.co...play.php?f=142

But do you know how we can offer this as an RSS feed or put links to the latest articles on our homepage http://www.ultimatedallas.com ?

Some sites have requested a feed they can have to bring up our news

Any help would be appreciated.

[MickDoneDee]

This thread might offer some tips:
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=73315

First RSS has to be enabled in the Admin CP.

In vBulletin Options go to the setting group called External Data Provider. Select Yes to Enable RSS Syndication and click Save.

I think you already have it enabled anyway because I see your RSS feed when I click:
http://www.soapchat.burtonhosting.co...2&forumids=142

For an explanation of RSS click here.

The above explanation also mentions that multiple RSS formats exist which you can see by replacing RSS2 with RSS1 or RSS0.91. It seems external.php only outputs RSS 2.0 and 0.91.

external.php is set to output 15 articles.

if ($forumchoice != '')
{
	// query last 15 threads from visible / chosen forums
	$threads = $DB_site->query("
		SELECT thread.threadid, thread.title, thread.lastposter, thread.lastpost, thread.postusername, thread.dateline, forum.forumid, forum.title AS forumtitle, post.pagetext AS preview
		FROM " . TABLE_PREFIX . "thread AS thread
		INNER JOIN " . TABLE_PREFIX . "forum AS forum ON(forum.forumid = thread.forumid)
		LEFT JOIN " . TABLE_PREFIX . "post AS post ON (post.postid = thread.firstpostid)
		LEFT JOIN " . TABLE_PREFIX . "deletionlog AS deletionlog ON (deletionlog.primaryid = thread.threadid AND deletionlog.type = 'thread')
		WHERE 1=1
			$forumchoice
			AND thread.visible = 1
			AND open <> 10
			AND deletionlog.primaryid IS NULL
		ORDER BY thread.dateline DESC
		LIMIT 15
	");
}

[ccplim]

Hi The Geek,

Can advise how you create that space shown in the red circle?

Thanks!

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by ccplim

Hi The Geek,

Can advise how you create that space shown in the red circle?

Thanks!

ccplim - hehe thats a bug on my part from tweaking my version. Its a result of the block list in the item above not being properly closed from the auto synopsis slicing.

fd929- thats one of the nicest things anyone has written on vb.org for me. Thanks. Its made my morning

[ccplim]

Originally Posted by The Geek

ccplim - hehe thats a bug on my part from tweaking my version. Its a result of the block list in the item above not being properly closed from the auto synopsis slicing.

fd929- thats one of the nicest things anyone has written on vb.org for me. Thanks. Its made my morning

Haha.... I see...... I thought it was some useful feature which I could implement on my site. I am actually looking for something similar that I can use to seperate the articles into different categories.

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by ccplim

thought it was some useful feature which I could implement on my site. I am actually looking for something similar that I can use to seperate

Well, you could screw it up like mine - or why not just create sub forums that are article forums?

[Rob Locke]

Originally Posted by FD929

Geek I have to say, you have to be one of the greatest assets to vb.org. Your work is top notch. Many coders with your level of expertise have made all their hacks paid. I applaud you for spending so much time developing these magnificent modifications and not requiring a penny for them. If you have a paypal link I'd be happy to send something your way.

Geek, I have to fully agree with FD929. Your work is great and you are always here to help with people's questions.

I only wish you would release a 'Pro' version of the articles system, which I know many people would happily pay for as the preferred articles add-on for vb.

Thank you for all your hard work. You are right up there with the team at vb and vbadvanced!

[The Geek]

Geez, my head is getting a bit more disproportionate for my body.

What would be the difference between a pro version and this? I really couldnt think of any more functionality to add apart from what I already mentioned will be in 4.0 for vb3.5

THanks again for your kind words - especially for the vb and vba team. Personally I think the vba team (Brian) produces some of the most solid stuff for vb (hence the reason I use all thier stuff).

[ccplim]

Originally Posted by The Geek

Well, you could screw it up like mine

Well, if only I know how to do that :laugh:

Originally Posted by The Geek

or why not just create sub forums that are article forums?

Sounds like a good idea. I have not really tested this yet. Will give it a shot!