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]

Thats by design. The article goes into Comments mode and only shows the comments. When you view the article with x amount of preview comments shown... thats all they are - previews. There is a link at the top of the comments only page to show them the actual article.

To prevent it from popping up in Latest topics, exclude the forum id in your cmps settings. You can instead use the Latest Articles (I prefer using random article mod though) and chose for the mod to display the latest articles, not the latest comments.

Hope that makes sense!

[zerinS4]

Just installed it, works great. I've been looking for something like this for a year now... thanks!

[tormodg]

Geek, I'm not complaining. Just trying to customize this like I do with just about everyting else in this world.

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by tormodg

Geek, I'm not complaining. Just trying to customize this like I do with just about everyting else in this world.

I know tormodg - I appreciate it as it keeps me on my toes

Zerin - Glad you dig it. Make sure you click install. Cool updates are coming

[Daniel Castle]

Is this hack working with VB 3.0.7 ?

[The Geek]

Originally Posted by Daniel Castle

Is this hack working with VB 3.0.7 ?

yup

[tormodg]

I have it up and running in 3.0.7.

[The Geek]

Hey Guys.

Just thought I would drop in an update and a request

I have postponed the next release for a couple of weeks as I am going to be traveling on business so I wont be around to support the beta testers. The good news is that by the end of this week I will have the next version for them (but they will still have to wait for my return to get it!).

Here is what I have done:

• Far more options - I have given GAS its own admincp page for easier management
• Post as user - defined by usergroups
• Geek Autolinker key phrase adder - it allows you to put in keywords seperated by a comma to insert new links into the GAL system (if you have it installed). This is also controlled by usergroups
• New forumdisplay layout - option to turn it to regular forumdisplay (I just updated the layout today. I think its looking sweet now!).
• Synopsis - displayed in the new forum display (and soon to be released add ons)
• Turn off signature completely or have it on the last page.
• Show comment button on all pages - optional
• Automatic file modifications (optional) - I have devised a system whereby GAS tries to make all the file modifications all by its lonesome. If it can - it will. If it cant - it just notifies you which ones you will need to do by hand. Hopefully this will dramatically increase the ease of vB upgrades and installations.
• Image header gallery - This is a big one. Users can upload images to act as their article header or choose from a pre-defined gallery. The gallery shows a 'catch all' gallery and then merges forum specific images into it. That way you can have some default images, then some that are specific to each forum. Barring that - you can always let the user upload their own. This is all controlled via the admicp. You will still be able to have the first attachment thumbnail as the header image, but this way the new forumdisplay will be far more efficient.

What I am asking for now is that if anyone of you guys are ass kicking artists and fancy doing some default article header images to include with the install, I would dig it big time - just PM me.

What I havent done but plan to do after this next release:

• Sort out captions for attachments
• Allow users to specify which attachment goes to which page
• Settings per forum. This is a big one. Essentially you will be able to wither inherit settings or specify your own on a per forum basis. You will also be able to use differnent phrasegroups on a per forum basis. That way you can have articles AND something like reviews on your site all with the same system.

After that. Im going to France to make waffles to go with the scrambled eggs my brain has become.

If there is anythign I seem to have missed - let me know. I can still add minor functionality at this stage.

[rlamego]

Oh, no =( 2 weeks?!
By the time you come back, I'll have gave in to the dark side...

[Henry-RS]

The Geek Articles system is great, but I have one request/suggestion.

Could you make it so you can see the comments on all pages of the article, and not just the last one? If not, can you provide the code to work this in ourselves?