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

[TPCComOld]

You know Sketch42,

You and the other guy are probably right. Maybe he shouldnt be hacking vb. At some point you had to learn what you know.

And I am probably an idiot too like you said since you know me so well. But I am and have been smart enough to employ brains like you to make me very wealthy beyond YOUR means. And every time I start a new project that I know nothing about I always look for smart people such as yourself to do the grunt work while I do the marketing and rack in the cash.

So I truely appreciate you setting us simple people straight. I'm sure it made you feel like a winner.

Question. Did you have to learn everything you know or did you just get it via osmosis? If my stupidity serves me correctly, everyone had to learn at some point how to do everything. But hey, what do I know. I'm an idiot!

Appreciate your genius. Can an idiot like me and my webmaster call on your genius again? I sure do hope so. Man, I had trouble tying my shows this morning.

Seriously, if you feel it necessary to call someone an idiot because they are trying to learn or dont know more than you, then I am not sure who the idiot is. Lets compare lives and bank accounts idiot to brain.

Thanks again for setting us straight. I will tell my webmaster, the genius has bestowed his wisdom.

[thephonemall]

Can I somehow FORCE all users to view the articles by TITLE or can I sort them specifically? I want them to be in a specific order for all users.

[csidlernet]

Nice thanks!

[nathanaus]

First real opportunity I have had to use this and it's not working for me.
Issue 1 - the character limit of 10,000 is killing me
Issue 2 - the [BREAK] command does nothing. I type it in and I get [BREAK] written on the screen. I try Break and get the word rather an an actual page break.

I have [BREAK] listed in teh code in the options but for whatever reason it's not working. Just when I have the need for a very important article to go up it's not working

[tpr]

Ok,
I have now finished installing the "Geek Article System 3.52" on my vb3.5 board and yes it's possible
takes about 4 hours where you baisicly sit and course the designers of vb but othat than that most changes are rather trivial.

p.s.
nathanaus if im not mistaken the character limit you state is set by vb itself, you can change it in the vb options and solve that problem.

[Nutz]

Cool tpr,
can you give any tips?

[Zachery]

PLease keep the discussion clean, thank you

[tpr]

Originally Posted by Zachery

PLease keep the discussion clean, thank you

oh come on this i didn't say anything rude but some of the changes are just plain annoying

[The Geek]

guys - gars for 3.5 is on its way... dont sweat it and it will require 0 file edits.

Sorry it keeps going to back burner for other pressing projects (ye shall see this week!) - but Im about ready to go back to the end race on GARS.

BTW: There is also a setting in GAS to override the default character limit for article forums

[cclaerhout]

Originally Posted by The Geek

guys - gars for 3.5 is on its way... dont sweat it and it will require 0 file edits.

Sorry it keeps going to back burner for other pressing projects (ye shall see this week!) - but Im about ready to go back to the end race on GARS.

BTW: There is also a setting in GAS to override the default character limit for article forums

Great :-)
I hope phrases will be in the xml file -> would be easier to translate ;-) Thanks a lot for your work :-)