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

[The Geek]

Kafi - Im pretty sure that can be done based on your forum permissions (ie user can delete thread, edit thread, etc...). Categories are easily accomplished by using sub forums.

P. Jackson - Are the images appearing in the gas folder? It sounds like one of the server settings paths are incorrect.

chosos - there is a setting which specifies which usergroups can upload... take that out and the gallery should be fine. TOugh for me to check as Im on holiday right now

Sketch - If they can not post threads, they cant create articles, if they can post replies, then they can post comments.

HTH?s all.

(BTW - just an FYI - Im not around much right now as I am in Spain on holiday with the family. In fact, my wife is going to go nuts if she sees me on the system!... Be back soon )

[biagrin]

ive just installed this. everything is okay except when i click on manage attachments to add an attachment - all i get is a white screen.

[Brinnie]

Originally Posted by ccplim

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.

same here... sorta like vBarticles.

but there isn't anything for 3.5 yet. at least, anything that isn't a hack of the topic index.

I made a request here.
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthrea...145#post738145

[The Geek]

GAS for 3.5 is coming... but its a serious butt pain. The hooks leave litle assitance for a mack like this.

When its done, why cant you just use subforums?

(btw: the new GAS is called GARS - kind of a cracker way of saying GAS. It means Geek Article and REview System and its looking sweet. Just hit a stumbling block with the serious lack of decently placed hooks)

Biagrin - this wouldnt have touched anything with that part of vb??

Toodles all - Im back to lay by the pool with beer in hand

[sketch42]

is there any reason my Article Thumnails show like this?? i mean its not bad just have no idea why they arent completely aligned???

[Corriewf]

When I go to submit a new article it looks just like im posting a normal reply or regular new thread. It seems to be using the regular templates for those functions. I have followed all of the instructions and enjoyed the story. Any insight would be appreciated.

[chosos]

chosos - there is a setting which specifies which usergroups can upload... take that out and the gallery should be fine. TOugh for me to check as Im on holiday right now

- i have it blank so all usergroups should be able to view the gallery.

[The Geek]

Sketch - not sure. It looks odd to me however I would have to check out your html source to get a better idea.

Corrie- there are a couple of template additions you have to manually make to get the template options to show up. That and you may need to copy the changed files from gas/changed to their respective locations

Chosos - you cant leave it blank. Blank means none

[Corriewf]

Originally Posted by The Geek

Corrie- there are a couple of template additions you have to manually make to get the template options to show up. That and you may need to copy the changed files from gas/changed to their respective locations

I have done everything except template mods. I looked all over the install and couldnt find them. Can you point me in the right direction?

[Corriewf]

anyone?